PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 71, 23 July 1915, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. I 1 mi Association. Wellington, July 22. In tlio House this afternoon, Dr. Thacker gave notice to ask certain questions relative to the - medical care of men at Trentham camp. Replying to Mr J. C. Farr, the Prime Minister said that New Zealand had approximately equipped and despatched 20.UUU men to the war. Taking the matter of population into consideration, he believed New Zealand was iu the lead, and lie hoped that that lead would be maintained. Replying to-Mr F. Webb, the Minister of Mines explained the position ol the fund from which men sullering from miners' complaints wore relieved. He hoped to have the fund placed on a more satisfactory footing.

Replying to Mr (>. W. Russell, the Prime .Minister said that a very close eye was being kept on all enemy aliens; he expected to make a lullei statement on the matter in a lew davs’ time.

In answer to questions, the Minis ter of Defence said that every care was being taken to ensure prompt delivery of parcels and postal matter 10, the troops in Kgypt; that endeavour? are being made to ascertain iniorma tion regarding imprisoned troopers it Turkey, that money is being sent t( troupers on most favorable terms. ' ,\K.W BILLS.

The following Hills wen* read a first time;—Crimes Amendment (Hon. A. 'I/. Hcrdman) ; Kensington. Park Hate Exemption Mr F. Marnier); Welling ton-Ivaroii Sanitation and Water Supply Amendment (Mr 11. Wright). DAYLIGHT SAVING. The House then went into eommitte on the Definition of Time Hill. Durim the discussion on clause one a section of the country members; developed strong opposition to the Bill, urgin; Mr Sidey to withdraw it till after the war. Discussion was proceeding at tin dinner adjournment. ■ The whole of the evening sitting was occupied with discussion on clause 1 of the Bill, with every prospect o' the debate continuing for some hours. Country members are displaying an evident intention to block the passagi of the measure, if possible. Mr Sidcn offered to insert a new clause postponing the coming into operation of tin Bill until the first Sunday in Novem her, 1916. but the compromise ha riot been accepted hy the opponents o the Bill.

At 11.20 p.m. the House divided on a motion to report progress, the motion beiuig lost hy .38 to- 26. Dis mission on clause 1 was then resumed amidst cries of “Vote,” “Vote,” Iron supporters of the Bill.

At 12..) a.m. Mr Pearce moved that the Chairman leave the chair. Tin motion was lost hy 32 i.o 22. At 12.15 a.m. another division was taken on a motion to report progress. This was lost hy 22 to 30. Mr W . H. Herries then suggested that M r Sidey should he satisfied with passing the short title of the Bill, and then report progress. The suggestion was not accepted. The Hon W. H. Herries said that under the circumstances they were evidently in for a protracted sitting, fighting a Bill not worth fighting for. and making themselves ridiculous in the eyes of the country. Discussion was res timed, and at 1,30 Mr Hinc moved that the title of the Bill ho the Dunedin Time Saving Bill, which proposal is now (2 a.m.) being discussed. ALL-NIGHT SITTING, THE BILL PUT THROUGH, After the Telegraph Office closed at 2 a.m., the Opposition to the Defini tion of Time Bill was carried on b.' Messrs Coates. Mine. Okey. Wilkin son and Escott. frequent attempts being made to count the Bill out.

At 3.35 the amendment to alter the title of the Bill was lost hy 26 to 19. Mr Wilkinson moved to report pro gross, and at >5.10 a division was taken. which resulted.—Ayes 20. Noes 27. Mr Pearce then moved that the Chairman leave the chair, but il was lost by 27 to 20. Mr Hine, at 6 a.m.. moved that the coming info operation of the Bill, if passed, he deferred till Ist November. 1918.

Half an hour later there were suggestions for a compromise, viz., that the Hill to he jmit through, hut not •to come into force until 191 H. and remain in force for three months. Mr Si (.ley agreed to this, hut the suggestion proved futile, and a division at 7.dU resulted—Ayes dO, Noes 12.

A division was then taken on the first clause, which resulted—Ayes do. Noes 12. * The House divided on the remaining clauses, which were finally passed hy 20 to 2d. The House rose at 5.20 a.in.