THE MILITARY SERVICE BILL

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 135, 10 June 1916, Page 4

THE MILITARY SERVICE BILL

PASSED BY 44 TO 4

AMIDST GREAT ENTHUSIASM. AT 2.45 THIS MORNING. Alter the telegraph office closed, Mr. Wilkinson, while supporting the Bill, pointed out several defects which, in his opinion, still remain. At 2.5 a.m. Mr. Allen rose to reply: he refuted the statement that there was no mandate from the country. He condemned the attitude taken up by opponents of the Bill. They were misled, and what was worse, they were misleading. Dealing with the relgious objection ,-he said he had no doubt that sensible appeals would be heard by the Board. All members of the Government had done their best to make the Bill as workable as possible. It was recognised that much would depend upon the Military Boards, which would be composed of strong, earnest men. The general idea was to make them civil boards. He was sorry they had not been able to convince those who opposed on principle the Bill. He did not pretend the Bill gave equality of sacrfiice, but they had gone as near as possible. It was certainly more just and equitable than the voluntary system, under which moral pressure had been exercised at first. He held that the quota of men offered had not been too large, considering the resources of the country, and he felt that the majority of people would like to see even more that our forefathers had to fight for their liberties and we had to fight for ours; and that Avas what the Bill would help us to accomplish. There had been an increase of recruiting since the Bill had been drafted and he hoped it Avould so stimulate recruiting that, as in America, it Avould not be necessary to put into effect the compulsory clause. The Bill made it clear that they would be able to supply the quota of men that had been promised. A division Avas taken at 2.40 a.m, and the Bill Avas carried by 44 to 4, amidst applause and the singing of the National Anthem. The noes Avere Payne, McCombs, Webb, Fletcher. Hindmarsh and Walker paired against the Bill. The Blouse rose at 2.45 a.m.