PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 43, 25 May 1916, Page 7

PARLIAMENT.

CASE OF THE V/ILLOCK RA. i Per Press Association. Wellington, May 24. ] The House of Representatives met ; at 2.30 p.m. The Minister of Public Health made a statement to the effect that the Willochra had born doubly fumigated, once by the Hoaltii authorities, end once by the Union Co. She would also leave with an entirely new ciew. No fresh cases of smallpox had bee' reported amongst the men in quarantine, a great many of whom would bo released on Monday or Tuesday. The statement way made to reassure friends of soldiers. SHORTAGE OF OFFICERS. The House then proceeded to discuss Ministerial answers to questions, fn the course of a reply to questions concerning the forces, the Hon. a. j Allen stated he - had received word from 'the General Officer Commanding at j the front that they were woefully I short of officers. OTHER MATTERS. Replying to questions Ministers said there was no delay of any consequence in the presentation of the (loyal Commissioner’s report on tae Grierson case; the Government consider that the proposal made that all public servants be granted half-pay ; whilst on active service is so far-reach-ing that it is impracticable; the House will lie given an opportunity (his session of dealing with the quos- , tloh of “treating”; the matter of the 'date'of the coming into operation of the Legislative Council Act, 1914, will he considered before the -session comes to an end; the decision of the Govern'ment in regard to increases of salaries to members of the Public Service will be announced in tbs near future; the Government do not intend to introduce an amendment to the Public Service Act during the present session; that tlie matter of checking the extravagant importation of motor cars to conserve shipping accommodation is receiving the attention of the Government; adequate steps are taken to prevent any carcases* pot of sufficiently good quality to constitute wholesome food material being utilised either for export or, for consumption within New Zealand ; that t,he collection of full ami (precise information as to the last resting places of men who fell at Gallipoli [had engaged the afckyitipn of thp,l)e--ifence , Department, anti suitable icrosses with brass inscription plates [would be erected; itj.,\ytis not. considered desirable to acquire the freehold of the camp site at Rahgldtu ; certain adjustments of the railway tariff may be necessary in order to provide for the increased expenditure which will ho incurred by the granting of a war bonus to the staff, but the revised rates will not lie brought into operation until after, |heftdrmination of the war; it is not proposed to make pfo- ‘ I vision for a lighthouse ion the Three [Kings on this year’s estimates; it is jnot intended to legislate during the [present session on the subject of paying increased sums for condemned stock. ■

WAR PENSIONS, ( j Tho debate on the War Pensions Amendment Bill was resumed by Mr A. H. Hind marsh (Wellington South), who advocated the creation of endowments to meet liabilities contingent on the war. He considered the pension for a child should be 10s per week. Sir Joseph Ward said each member of the Ministry was doing his utmost in the interest of soldiers’ pensions. No one could say until the war was [over how many children would have to be provided for, nor how much money would be required to meet war charges. He contended it was impossible for any country in the world to give a pension for the amount that a man was drawing when in able-bodied employment. Mr G'. Anderson (Mataura), thought the Bill an admirable amendment of

the Act passed last session, but the amount set down for children should

be increased. Mr L. M. Isitt (Christchurch North) said the lives of those injured at the war should not be embittered by thoughts as to the future of their dependents. The people of New Zealand expected Parliament to err on the side of generosity out of gratitude to the men who had made imperishable names for themselves in this great war. Tlie debate was continued by Mr Field (Nelson), and Mr J. Payne (Grey Lynn). Mr Massey said the Government were so anxious to provide as liberally in pensions as any private member, but they had to look forward to the time when the men who returned from the war had to be provided for and when there would be no war profits. He thought the expenditure would go iqj to a million pounds per month, and interest would have to be provided on that amount. Then the pensions scheme must he able to stand any strain of depressed times. He dealt with the opinions expressed by several speakers in the debate, and said the Pensions’ Board could not be abolished on account of the nature of the cases for consideration. There was no better scheme of pensions in the world than that in New Zealand, and tlie Dominion would continue to lead. Mr Witty claimed that the Australian pension for children exceeded that proposed to be paid in the Bill. He ajlproved the suggestion of endowment. Mr Veitch considered there should be provision for appeal from decisions of, the Board. Mr Allen replied to the criticisms, pointing out that it was impossible to comply with all contingencies* The second reading was carried. The House rose at 1.15 a.m.