PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 56, 9 June 1916, Page 4

PARLIAMENT.

BOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. MILITARY SERVICE BILL. Pee Paces sacra atto nT' 0 *' 0 *" 'Wellington, June 7. Tu the House this evening Hon. A. M. Myers read a return showing that eighty exemptions had been granted during six months. No farmers were included. After further discussion Mr Payne withdrew his motion for the deletion of sub-section C of clause 17. Mr Isitfc urged the claim of members of the Society of Friends to consideration.

Hon. James Allen submitted an amendment exempting a religions oojeetbr from military service on condition that lie volunteered for civil or non-combative service with the Expeditionary Forces.

A sub-clause was added to clause 17,'0n the motion of Mr Jennings, that it shall he sufficient evidence of undue hardships, on an appeal, that appellant is the sole surviving son of his parents, and that one or more of his brothers has served with some portion of the forces in connection with the present war, and lost his life by reason of such service. At 12.15 aim. a division was taken on Hon. James Allen’s amendment exempting a religious objector. This was lost by 29 votes to 2.0. Mr Wilkinson moved, in clause 18, to increase the number of members the Military Service Board from three to five, hut this was lost on a division by 31 to 13. Clauses up to 28 were agreed to, subject to reeonsideratign of provisions in clauses 22 and 26. ' Progress was reported at 1.30 and the House adjourned. Wellington, June 8.

In the House of Representatives this afternoon consideration of the Military Service Bill, in committee, on Clause 28, was resumed. Considerable discussion took place on Clause 29, giving employers the right to appeal against the enrolment of an employee, whether with or without his knowledge and consent. Labor members strongly resisted the clause, contending that it gave employers too much power. lu Hie course of discussion, Hon. A. L. Herdman stated that if men of the police force, were allowed to enlist it would denude the force of 170 men, which, in the interests of public safety could not be permitted. An amendment by Mr McCombs, with the object of depriving an employer of the right of appealing against the enrolment of an employee, with or without the latter’s consent, was lost on a division by 49 to 0. Mr Witty moved an amendment, that an employer shall not be father or mother of an employee under the clause. This was carried on the voices. In Clause 36, dealing with indictable offences, Mr Wilkinson proposed to add to the punishment allotted the deprivation of civil rights. This was strongly opposed, mainly by Labor members.

i)u the House resuming after dinner Mr. Wilkinson’s amendment was rejected by 33 to 23. With the Minister’s consent the maximum term of imprisonment for indictable offences was reduced from five years to three years.

Clause 87, “Employers not to om--1 ploy reservists unless enrolled, ’ ’ was objected to, but was retained on the ; voices. I Clause 88, “Employers not to employ deserters,” was also opposed, but was retained on a division by 48 to 12. lu Clause 41 -Mr Wiltord divided the House on the motion that the .words “or imperfect” lie omitted from the sub-seetiou providing a penalty for misleading answers to a constable, The words were retained by 37 to 24. After further discussion‘ the Minister agreed to the words being deleted. The committee stage of the Bill was concluded at 12.48 a.m., and progress was reported, the third reading being | fixed for the next sitting of the House, at 2.80. 1 The House rose at 12.48 a.m.