PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 45, 27 May 1916, Page 7

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. CLOSING OF LIQUOR BARS. Per Press Association. Wellington, May 26. The House met as 2.30 p.m. A.number of petitions, praying that liquor bars be closed at 6 p.m. during the continuance of the war, were presented. THE REiNFORCEWINTS. Replying to a question, Mr Allen (Defence Minister), said the Dominion was originally asked to supply from 8000 to 9000' men. After Gallipoli the total number was raised to 22,000, and reinforcements would be required to maintain the latter number. If the whole of the forces now fighting were wiped out they would be replaced. The Minister stated, with a view to relieving the anxiety of parents and friends, to soldiers, that it was unlikely casualty lists would be available until a week after the fighting took place. A NEW BILL. The Expiring Laws Continuance Bill was introduced by Governor's message and read a first time. WAR PENSIONS. The War Pensions Amendment Bill was recommitted. Mr Allen moved that the clause added last night, giving the Pensions Board power to refuse a pension to a person of notoriously bad character, be struck out. Hi' said there was a conflict of option regarding the wording of the clause, but a suitable amendment would be introduced in the Legislative Council. On the motion for the third reading of the Bill, a lengthy debate,. similar to that on the second. reading, ensued, the speakers generally contending that the pensions were inadequate. EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30, when the debate was continued. ; ; Mr Massey said so' much misrepresentation had been made that he found it .necessary to .reply. He deprecated attacks made on Sir Joseph Wardering absence, lowing to illness. He hoped it would not be a precedent. Referring to the adverse: remarks of Mr Hindmarsh, the Premier said the/.members of the Secret Committee, of Defence Were responsible for the Pensions Bill. He read 'extracts from Mi- Hindmarsh's speech last year to show the wide dinerence between the views then expressed and his opinions that day. He considered they had gone as far as they could go in pensions. The war might drag on for a long while. They must lookahead in regard to expenditure. They had done better than any other, Dominion. He condemned the exhibitions of party spirit shown during the ae-;,bate,-and spoke in terms of appreciation of those members who had given the National Government loyal support and made an effort to assist the I Empire the present struggle. * Mr- A\\en, *in reply", repudiated the suggestion that the recruiting more.-, ment- had' 'been adversely influenced by either pay or pension. All had been actuated by pure patriotism. He denied that amendments'-in the Bill had been forced upon the Government by outside criticism. The Government had to consider its responsibilities, not only of .to-day, but those of the future.

The third reading of the Rill was carried. THE WILLOCHRA. The Public Health made a statement concerning the disinfecting process used on the Willochra. He said every precaution had been taken to ensure the health of the men and crews.