PARLIAMENT.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 150, 28 June 1916, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. i'EE -MILITARY SERVICE BILL. WELLINGTON, June 27.’ i oe Legislative Council met at 2-30 p.m. 1 he Military Service Bill, as reported from the Statutes Revision Committt ‘ c ' considered in committee. An amendment raising tile age from "Y to > proposed liy the Hon. Earnshaw. was rejected on a division by 19 to three. Ihe Hon George moved to omit the c ause making men married since May, Dio, eligible.—Lost on the voices. An amendment by the Hon. Paul providing that a man punished for failing should not be handed over to the military auhorities for service abroad, was rejected. Clause 18. dealing with appeal and fbi) religious objector, was postponed, Agipew clause providing for the constitution of the Final Appeal Board was passed on a division by IS to four. A new clause dealing with the nature of work to be required from persons exempted from military service, was postponed. The remainder of the clauses were' pass&Js, with minor amendments, and Progress was reported. The’ Council rose at 4-45, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The, House of’Representatives met at I 2-39 n.m. TRANSPORT NO. 49. the Minis .er ior Defence read the bill , of [me on, tjoarcl Transport No. 49, wnicn nud been previously brought into question by -Hr Poole. From this be claimed tnat the food supplied to the men was of excellent quality. He moved that the paper os printed. Mr Poole said he had no complaint to nud with the rood Supplied. His point was the remarks alleged to have oeen made by officers commanding ca Transport 49, to men when brought before him after they nad presented a memorial regarding some grievances winch they wished adjusted. Such remarks should not have been made by I any officer, even if lie had been hanging with Victoria Crosses from nig scalp to the soles of his feet. The Minister , had made no answer to that point. Mr McCombs read a letter to the House from a trooper on board Transport 49, in which he said that after the ship left Albany the food given to the men was scandalous. He then detailed an interview with the officer commanding, whom he described as speaking to the men in a “hellish rage.” The Hon. James Allen moved that the letter be laid on the table. Mr Veitch expressed the hope that the man wou'd not he penalised because of the fact that he had written the letter. It would be most unfair to leave this man at the mercy of an officer whom he had criticised. The matter was so serious that the Government should make immediate inquiry, and both officer and man should be brought back to the country for that purpose. I Mr Isitt asked if the man was not guilty of a military offence in writing this letter? The Minister replied that the complaint should have been made through the officer commanding. Tho Hon. W. F. Massey said ho knew nothjng of the officer referred to but he had heard most favourable accounts of him. He read « letter from a trooper on transport 49 in which he said that they were having an excellent time. The “tucker” was gqod ; and hot salt water baths were provided. What the merits of the case were he could not say, but the matter could not rest where it was. A full iuqu(cyDnust be made, and if anyone is at fault the punishment should be made” equal to the crime. Mr Colvin said he knew the officer in question. He was an excellent officer' and a truthful man, but he had been seriously wounded, and his wound might have affected his mind. At the same time it must be remembered that I while our officers were good men there were j nst as good men in the ranks as among the officers, and they should be protected. Mr Hindmarsh suggested the setting up of a secret Parliamentary committee to inquire into the charges made.. The Minister always favoured officers and those high’ in office. Mr Allen: That is a most unfair statement. Mr Hindmarsh: Well, why did yon expend over £BO on a transport for the convenience of Lady Godley..? Mr Allen, in reply, said the New Zealand Government was under contract to return Lady Godley and other officers’ wives to England, and the going of the transport was a favourable opportunity to do so. He was unaware or any special expense incurred m Lady Godiey’s interests, but he would; have a return prepared. When this matter of charges concerning Transport 49 was first brought up he asked for tbe name of the writer of the letter read by Mr Poole, but Mr Poote refused it. Tbe letter just read would be laid on the table, and he would give the House his assurance that- the writer would not suffer by any action of his. The officer’s name had been mentioned, but not until to-day, nor had lie been defended, and he should have the same treatment as the private.. He could not..give a promise that both men would Ixy'ffifOught back, but the fullest inquiry' would be made. The matter of transports was a most difficul proposition, and if laxity of administration crept in, both officers and men would suffer. His duty was to hold the balance fairly between officers and men. and be intended to do his duty in that ‘ respect. He regretted that charges like this were flung on tlie floor of tlie 'House without proper ■ inquiry. He did net say there was never cause for complaint on board tho transports. Some soldiers would complain, but thousands of them did not. In this case he could promise that the fullest investigation would lie held, and that no one should improperly suffer because of his association with the charges. Mr McCombs at this point laid on the table (unsigned) copies of the soldier’s letter, and petition which was presented to the officer commanding Troopship 49. The Minister of Defence pointed out that neither document bore any signatures. . FOR SAILORS’ DEPENDENTS. The Premier intimated that he had received the following cheques towards the dependents of the British seamen who lost their lives in th Jutland battle : Auckland Navy League £5000; (Iraki Racing Club £300; Gore Citi-, ’mu'- 1 £2O° ■ Wellington Commercial Travellers (first instalment). £IOO,.