PARLIAMENT.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 111, 12 May 1916, Page 4

PARLIAMENT.

. -c —■ ' HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. FIRST READINGS. WELLINGTON, May 11.. The House met at 2.30. % Mr. Payne gave notice of his intention to move an amendment to the Address-in-Reply to the Governor*}?. Speech. Mr. Payne moved the first reading of the Von Seidlitz Grant destitution Bill. > Hon. Allen subsequently replied tothe allegations made by Mr. Payne taking the cases seriatim. He referred to the Commissioners' bindings regarding Grierson and said that later on he would have a great deal to say regarding the case. Mr. Isitt explained that it. was an attempt to secure restitution of £7OO paid as compensation to Professor Von Seidlitz by the Victoria University Council. Mr. Poole strongly supported the Bill on the ground that the payment was made to Von Seidlitz in defiance of public opinion. Dr. Thacker and Mr. Wilford supsupported the Bill. Speaking briefly on the motion, the Premier said interned Germans were being treated according to instructions from the Home authorites. He denied that the Minister of Defjlico was responsible. The motion was carried on the voices. The first reading of the War Exigencies and Empire Preservation Bill was moved bv Mr. Payne. He strongly attacked the Government in the matter of permitting alleged pro-Ger-mans to occupy positions in the civil service and amongst the reinforcements. The motion was carried. The following Bills were moved by Mr Payne and also read a first time' — Rent, B'lind Persons Assistance, Unregistered Nurses Registration, State Bank and Veneral Diseases Bill. Mr. Veitch moved the first reading of the Wanganui Borough Council Street Access Empowering Amendment Bill. The War Pensions Amendment Bill and Discharged Soldiers Settlement Bill were introduced by Governor's message and read a first time. The second reading was made an order for next sitting" day. The House resumed at 7.30. Mr. Guthrie moved the Address-in-Reply to the Governor's Speech. He thought that they might with advantage follow the example set by the Speech and confine themselves to mat ters of National concern. He paid a warm tribute to the memory of those who had given their lives in the par and commented with satisfactiou&pupon the splendid name New Zealand troops had won on the field of battle. He congratulated the National Government upon its work and believed the experiment would have an effect for good upon the politics of the future. He congratulated the country upon the manner in which it was pressing through the war struggle, and alluded to the great increase made in the exports of the Dominon. He congratulated the Government upon the manner in which it had carried out the work o fdefence. The "goods had been delivered" in every instance.

Mr Forbes seconded the motion. He appreciated the manner in which the two political parties had worked together in the National interest. Several important measures had to be passed. He argued that the compulsory system should be a complete one, as th e country was ready for it. He pointed out that compulsory service' would involve hardship on some conscripted men, and the interests of such men must be protected. He also held that the military element should not be too strong on the Board of Control. On the question of finance he though it was desirable, if possible, to raise some of the loan money required in the Dominion and believed! the country would accept in an heroic mood any necessary taxation imposed! to carry out the Premier's promise of assistance 'to the last man and the last shilling." He suggested the constitution of a separate department to make preparation for the thousands of men who Avould come back from the war. Mr. Forbes concluded by strongly urging that the National Government should receive the loyal support of members of both parties. Mr. Harris hoped the Government would find some way of preventing an" undue increase of the cost of living. He advocated war prc£t s being made to bear a fair share of taxation. He thought it unnecessary to raise a loan for public works until after the war. The debate was continued by Mr. Poole, who strongly urged that the exploitation of the people of the country, in the matter of the cost of living, should be stopped, otherwise trouble in commercial and industrial circles was to be found. The Prime Minister moved the adjournment of the debate. j ) The House rose at D. 30. A