IN PARLIAMENT.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 119, 20 May 1916, Page 5

IN PARLIAMENT.

SECOND READING. WELLINGTON, May 19. Tlie House met at 2.30 p.m. The New Zealand Insurance Company Trust Bill was read a second time on a division by 48 to 7. CHARACTERS CLEARED. The Minister for Defence read statements in reference to certain military officers alleged to be of German parentage. The statements relieved the officers concerned of any suspicion. THE KAIAPOI MURDER. Mr. Buddo asked if the Government would offer a substantial reward for evidence leading to the conviction of the murderer of the Hollands at Kaiapoi. The Minister for Justice replied that arrangements were now being made in the direction indicated. ADDRESS-IN-REPLY DEBATE. Sir Joseph Ward resumed the debase on [the AddresE\-in-Reply. He referred at length to the criticisms passed upon the National Goveniment by persons who affected an air of political superiority and yet had done nothing to assist the Government in its time of great crisis. He could not believe that people outside of Parliament were in sympathy with the attitude taken up by some members. He referred to the formation of the National Government as a necessity. In time of national trial individual party opinions had to be abandoned. It was of supreme importance that every effort should be devoted to winningright but the war. He referred to charges made that pro-German influences were at work in connection with Government departments and refuted an allegation that a German firm had been favoured in connection with wireless. The Telefunken system was owned by a British company with British shareholders; £30,000 had been saved by acceptance of the company’s offer. He detailed what the Cabinet was doing regarding enemy concerns in the country, and showed that there was no foundation for the statement that IS German s were in the Telegraph Department. He held that the work done in enlisting sixty thousand men under the voluntary system had been marvellous, but people who opposed conscription would rather see compulsion instituted than that this

country should go down in the struggle. He showed the impracticability of the cry for the conscription of wealth.} Wise and judicious conferences between members of both sides were necessary. Seventeen millions

would be required this year for the ordinary expenditure of the Dominion. This was not- the time for yin-prick-ing criticism, but for solid co-opera-tion.

The Hon. Rhodes made a brief statement concerning his visit to Egypt in the interests of the New Zealand troops. He stated that plants indigenous to Australia and this Dominion would be placed on Galilpoli. He gave a resume of his work at Lemnos and ether places, and promised further information later.

The Hon. Russell chided those who were seeking to embarrass the Government by demanding its policy. He asked those members what they had done to assist the Government. He pointed out that there was no possible way out of the case presenting itself after the 1914 elections, but to form a National Government and lessen to an infinitesimal degree party strife. In that they had succeeded. He strongly defended the Hon. J. Allen from the

charges made against the Defence Department, Speaking after the dinner adjournment Hon. Russell referred to the work carried out by individual Ministers as a reply to those who assisted that the National Government had not justified itself regarding Defence. He showed that 54,000 men had been sent away, or 'were in training, and the work was going on steadily, showing that New Zealand was carrying out her promises so far as despatching reinforcements were concerned. Referring to the work of the hospitals depot, 4,939 soldiers had returned, and 1699 had been put through the local hospitals established at Rotorua and Hamner for sick and wounded men. A special institution had been established in Otago for those sufferi ing from broken nerves, and another { institution had been created for tuberculoss patients. Six hundred sick men are now being provided for in hospitals. He paid a warm tribute to the medical officers of the Department for their loyal services. One million pounds had been subscribed by the people of New Zealand to assist sick and wounded soldiers. Under the system of permits, 5.000 had been issued since November last, and 870 passports had been issued to those leaving for England. Full enquiries had been made in each case. He referred also to the work carried on by the women of the country. W c man hood would be further organ- , ised when men were called up under , the proposed public Service Dill. Money subscribed to the War Funds Council would bp partly utilised in assisting the poorer districts of the Dominion. He defended the pensions

scheme and said that practically all criticism against the measures had been provided for in the amending Bill. The money subscribed by patriotic societies would be devoted to assisting th e sick and wounded. He estimated that pensions would cost about £200,000 per year, and local funds would supply 50 per cent, in supplementation of pensions. It was a matter of supreme satisfaction that while the country had provided the highest pension in the world, that pension would be supplemented by 50 per cpnt. Regarding the cost of living, he pointed out that a concession had already been made to railway men. He felt sure that before the session was over it would be shown that other sections of the Government service would not be forgotten After the war h e hoped there would be peace with victory and that the German Navy would disappear, otherwise it would cost this country one million a year for defence. Mr. Guthrie replied, after which the Address was carried. The House adjourned at 8.25.