PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 49, 1 June 1916, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Per Press Association. Wellington, May 31. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. Leave of absence was granted Hon. U. Simpson lor one week. The War Pensions Amendment Hill was read a first time, and the Council rose at'2.ls p.m.

HOUSE OF ft EP RESENT ATI VES.

Wellington, May 31

Replying to questions, Ministers tun'd tluVo there would be sufficient opportunities during the session foi members to express their opinions upon the allegations ns to the employment of Germans in the forces; that the matter of prohibiting the use of the word “Anflae” as a trade mark was being attended to; the Government had released two enemy aliens from internment camps to enable them to accept work from private employers; it was the duty of the medical officer of the day at camp to attend to emergency cases which required immediate attention; private cablegrams for members of the Expeditionary Force, France or England, should be addressed “Vanquisher,” London; Mr E. W. Hiley was Director of Camp and Barrack Construction, with the rank of colonel, and without salary and allowances in respect to the appointment, which did not interime with his railway duties; it was proposed to amend the War Regulations Act so as to enable constables at country stations to issue permits for the sale of arms and ammunition; it was hoped to largely extend the maternity hospital.-system throughout the Dominion at an early date, and also to devise a scheme that will be of benefit to both the juvenile and adult population in matters of dental treatment ; that in the event of a war bonus being granted to members of the permanent staff of the Civil Service it was proposed to suitably adjust the policy to temporary clerks; that it was not at present proposed to in-crease'old-age pensions, or tiro amount payable to Maori War veterans; that the Government’s proposals in connection with Friendly Societies will shortly be announced. MILITARY SERVICE BILL. In resuming tiro debate on tiro Military Service Bill yesterday, Mr J. Craigie (Timaru), said that he would support the measure. He deplored the fact that youths of IS and 1!) .years of age had gone forward to light, as also had those men with four or five children, whilst single men who were really eligigle had remained behind. The Bill tended more towards equality of Sacrifice than the present system. ’

Mr G. V. Pearce fPatea), regretted that the Bill had not been brought forward at the close of last session. He considered that the National Registration scheme had been put into operation in a slipshod manner. The Bill was a good one, bud would he improved with a few amendments. Mr R. McCallum (Wairau), supported the Bill, but was strongly opposed to any undue 'development of a military spirit. He considered that infants in the eyes of the law should not be conscripted, and the age might be extended to fifty-five. He complained of the attitude of “up-start” 'officers who were unaccustomed to handling men, and would vote against the third

reading unless the effort of the Hill was limited to the present will'. Mr L. M. Isitt (Christchurch North), said that ho stood four square in favor of the Bill, lie would support legislative conscription every time before moral conscription took to the bed and left the shirker and blather* skite to perpetuate the race. He deplored the statement that the effect of thy Bill would he to strangle the liberties of the people, i his ho stigmatised as balderdash. Audiences he had addressed in the .South Island embarrassed speakers by their demand for conscription. The prospect ot the Hill being passed had already had all effect in stimulating recruiting, and every man who had the interests of wives and children at heart should welcome the Bill, because, under it, -10,000 single men were available for a year, and probably the war would not last for that time. He pleaded for consideration for conscientious objectors, like the Quakers, of whom there were hut 500 in the country (300 men and 200 women). Bather than see his wife and children violated he personally would fight, ami fight all he knew. He could not understand those people holding the views they did, hut it was

Mr A. 11. Hindmarsh (Wellington) South) asked what wore the obligations of the State to young men, and what were the obligations of young men to the State? Wore they mutual? He thought they were, alul lie ashed what tile Prime Minister would do with the lands of the country, in the interests of men coining back from the war. He pleaded that men who were giving up their lives should be paid properly for their services. Jiy the commercial law of the country, those men were entitled to lull compensation, but did they got it? He referred to the Bill as a “miserable abortion.” The real shirkers were not the men who were not going forward to fight, but the large men who would not come forward and say what they would do for the soldiers. The large landowner, in every case, was in favor

of compulsion, but lie did little to assist the men going forward. He (Mr Hindmarsh), hoped that the country would do as well by its soldiers as America had done, where every soldier

was paid pensions. Mr 11. I’. Hudson (Motueka), said he unreservedly supported the Bill, and he knew that 90 per cent, of his constituents were also favorable. The Bill must prove a consolation to those who had already enlisted.

Mr H. G. Ell (Christchurch South), favored the Bill, although he had been warned it would cost him his seat. That would iiot affect him here duty was involved. He urged tiro necessity of reducing the cost of living, and also the imposition of additional taxation so that full justice might lie done to the men who were making a supreme sacrifice. The Pensions Act ought to to be brought back and given further consideration. Mr <l. McCombs (Lyttelton), said the Bill was a belittlement of the plucn. and patriotism of the people of the Dominion. He argued that there was no necessity to place the Bill on the Statute Book. He moved, as an amendment, that the Bill be read that day three months. The amendment was seconded by Mr A. Walker (Dunedin North), who quoted the Defence Minister’s figures to show that recruiting had not broken down. Mr Walker urged that the minimum age of recruits lie raised so as to pro-j vent immature youths going into the fighting-line. He also objected to

those who married after August 1, JUM being stigmatised us was proposed in the Bill. Mr B. A. Wright (Wellington Suburbs), reported that statements had been made that, men on his side were not prepared to make sacrifices, and cited tne names of several members whose sons had joined the Beiuforceiuelils. He favored the compulsory system as a just one.

‘ Mr J. V. Brown (Napier), favored the Bill, and urged that the success of the measure was dependent upon the constitution of the Service Board. Mr 10. Newman ( Baiigitikei)., thought it would he difficult to work the voluntary ami compulsory systems “together, and it would be wise to fix a date when voluntary enlistment would cease. Mr T. Field (Nelson), described the Bill as a compromise between the voluntary and compulsory systems. He held that men with financial obligations who were compelled to enlist should be assisted, and that conscientious objectors should be given consideration.

Mr p. C, Webb (Grey) contended that tile Bill should lie deferred for another three months. There had been no-mandate from the country in support of St, and the country was not doing the right thing by the men who had enlisted.

Mr J. B. Hine (Stratford), was surprised by the amendment which had been tabled tlnft day. The time had arrived when compulsion was necessary. He thought Advisory Boards would be required in several districts, as one would not be sufficient, and he also held that men should bo conscripted if required, for civil work. The age limit should be extended. He did not think that the war profits so much spoken 'of existed in lact.

Mr J. Anstey (Waitaki), held that the Government would not be doing its duty if it did not bring- down a measure for conscripting wealth in the same drastic manner it proposed to

conscript men. He spoke in commendation of the Bill.

.Mi- Tan Hen are (Northern Maori), said that his people were not believers in conscription, but they were willing to do their best. They did not think of money, but their sole aim was that we should win the war. If the money element was insisted upon, his people would bo reluctant to enlist. He brought before the Government’s nol ice the question of the Austrian menace in the North Auckland district, and said that the natives there were afraid to send their sons away on account of the fact that thousands of Austrians were at liberty in the North.

Mr A, H. Hindmarsh (Wellington South), assorted that the Premier had deliberately withheld the Einaneial Statement until war measures had been passed by the House.

The amendment was lost by b I votes to -5, and the debate was adjourned