PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 60, 15 June 1916, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Wellington, Juno 1.4. The Council met at 2.3o,"when the Military Service Bill was read 'a first time. Hon. J. T. Paul gave notice to move certain amendments in the measure, with a view to constituting a National Military Service Appeal Board to hear appeals from any decisions of the Military Service Board. Tiie Now Zealand Insurance Trust Bill was read a first time, and the Council rose at 2.57. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,, When the House met this afternoon the New Zealand insurance Company Trust Bill was read a third time and passed. In reply to Mr J. V. Brown (Napier) the Prime Minister said that he \votild look into the question of a German school teacher, who, it. w n e. alleged, is employed in the district/, He had not heard, 0 f t ] lc easC) ) )llt ]lis opinion of, the news was such that the case ~-f) S contrary to the Alien Enenfy Lynchers' Bill, passed last session.

In reply to Mr J. Payne, the Minister of Itailways said that the entire shilling a day that had been granted to railway employees was not being withheld, but would bo paid as soon as the House voted the money. . Amendments to the War Pensions Bill were introduced by Governors' message. The Minister of Defence explained the amendment in Clause 9 of the original'Bill, which entitled a wife to a pension irrespective of her income. The amendment in Clause 12 entitled officers and crews of transports to pensions, provided they signed on for the period of the war. The new Clause 14a enabled the Board to refuse the pension to any notoriously bad character, but such person would have tile right of appeal to a stipendiary magistrate. The new Clause 141 b extends the provisions for appointment of trustees.

The Minister of Finance announced that the Financial Statement would be brought down on Friday, at 7.30 p.m., and the debate would be begun on Tuesday, at 7.30. The Minister of Defence read a report on the dental work done in camps, showing that 700 soldiers had been treated. *

The Minister also read a statement showing that 45 commissions had been granted to New Zoalandeis with the. Imperial forces.

Replies to questions included the following: The matter of providing for a wireless station at Raratonga is under consideration; that it is not proposed to appoint inspectors of liquors in the chief centres of the Dominion at the present time; instructions have been given that no more gum licenses are to be issued to aliens, who are not naturalised; it is not proposed to amend the State Advances Act during the present session; that it is undesirable, and contrary to the general policy, to increase the Sunday train services or run trains on that day outside the suburban area, except in cases of urgent necessity (this was in reply to a request for a troop train on Sundays between Feathorston and Wellington); necessary instructions had been given to prepare legislation to put appren-j tices who have joined the colors in a| fair position with respect to their in-, dentures. DISCHARGED SOLDIERS. This evening, Mr Massey moved the second reading of the Discharged

Soldiers' Settlement Amendment Pill IHo said that the principle- of t:i<> i.iil '•had been admitted last session, and the Bill now before the House provided for the. extension of that principle. Jt was 'intended to provide in the best possible manner for discharged sohTers. i Unfortunately the amount of frstIclass land now available was limited, hut a good deal might be done in providing suitable land for small dairy, ■fruit, and poultry farms. He I'cfer'red to the recent visit of Sir H. Rider Haggard, and said that he had made it clear to the distinguished visitor 'that our first .efforts should bo to ns'sist the Dominion's soldiers. After their wants bad been disposed of the 'Government would be preparer! to asjsist Sir'Rider Haagard's sch'ertc for the assistance of British soldiers.

! Mr Massey outlined the effect of existing legislation, and said that he bad informed the Commissioners of Crown ''Lands that the Government wished to .be as generous its possible to returned eoldiors. They proposed to set anart 500,000 acres, and expected to provide for 5000 soldiers. He thought that the present scheme would last for five years. One block of 2500 acre™, had been secured in the Auckland district. and several other block's in that tirovince were also under consideration. . Mr. Massey then detailed a list of suitable blocks in various parts of both islands that could be secured for the purposes of the Act. From 140 to 150 soldiers had already been supplied with sections. He explained the provisions of the Bill; which included authority to raise £500,000 for the acquisition of land for the purposes of the principal Act, and said lie had no doubt that the Bill would commend itself to members.

Mr J. T, M. Hornsby said that he would strongly oppose support being given to Sir Rider Haggard's scheme. Land lor British soldiers should be obtained from the great landlords in Britain. Every provision should first be made for the men who sailed from these shores to the war. ! Mr W. A. Veitch said that it was desirable to give all possible consideration to returned soldiers who are able to go on the land, but he wished to see something done for those soldiers who could not take up land. He would protest against land being provided for immigrants from other countries until the requirements of our own soldiers, and also the existing local demand, had been provided for. Musty precedents were being set aside, and the people of the Dominion expected the Government to do r-ome-thing big for the men who had risked their lives in defence of the Empire.

Mr K. Newman (Ra'ngitikei), supported the Bill. . Hon. D. Buddo thought that returned soldiers should be placed on high-class lands. It was,possible that the enthusiasm now shown for our soldiers might disappear after the war. and therefore he hoped that the provision now being made for them would be of a generous character. Mr W. T. Jennings supported the Bill, and said that lie would suggest two or three amendments in committee.

Mr C A. Wilkinson argued that lands Tor the purposes of the Bill should be secured near roads and railway,™, even if it had to be secured by drastic measures.

Mr A. Harris congratulated the Gov-

ernment on the Bill, which, he thought, would produce good results. The debate was adjourned, and the House rose at 11.15 p.m.