PARLIAMENT.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 9 August 1917, Page 6

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL,

WELLINGTON, August 7. The Legislative Council resumed this afternoon. Sir Francis Bell moved a fesolution on the lines of that in the Lower House, recorded the Council’s inflexible determination to continue the war to a victorious conclusion. In doing so Sir Francis Bell said the fact that the Empire was entering into the fourth year of war did not bring "with it any feeling of alarm to the people. The spirit of the nation was, as ever, unchanged, and no step would be taken backward. The motion was seconded by the Hon. Captain Baillie, and after various Councillors had expressed warm approval of it, it* was unanimously -adopted. The Expiring Laws Continuance Hill and the War Purposes Loan Bill, authorising the raising of £24,000,000 •were put through all stages and passed. The Council adjourned at 5.35 p.m. BUTTER AND THE MEAT TRUST. Replying to Dr Newman, the Hon. W. F. Massey said he saw no objecttion to referring the invasion of the butter trade by the Meat Trust to the committee set up to inquire into the operations of the Meat, Trust. He had no desire to anticipate the report of the committee, but he was of opinion, that the meat trade would have to be controlled by the Government, and shipping would probably come under, the same category. WAR LOAN DEBENTURES. Replying to Mr. McCallum, Sir Joseph Ward said ample provision would be made for the insecurity of war loan debentures as inscribed stock when the Bill was passed by the House Where Post Offices now had not sufficient safe accommodation to store debentures he had given orders that such accommodation is to be provided. Sir Joseph also said he was contemplating making arrangements favourable to small investors in the war loan. A detailed statement would be made to the House at an early date. PAYMENTS TO SOLDIERS. Replying to criticism regarding payments to soldiers, Sir James Allen said the Financial Board was in some cases making provision for the payments of a share of a soldier’s insurance premiums. It could not be done in' all cases, as there was a danger of the State being imposed upon. In order to get educated men as officers the Defence Department in the early stages of the war offered to provide some of the civil pay of such men. That was necessary under the voluntary system, but it did not apply in the case of men balloted, where all were equal—which, was an argument in favour of conscription. OUR REINFORCEMENTS. REDUCED PERCENTAGES. MAIN BODY TO COME HOME.

Sir James Allen made a further statement regarding the percentage of reinforcements to the front. He regret--ted that he was not able to give more ■detail, but he felt bound to give the information he proposed, in consequence of the general misconception. The number of the Main Body we were required to reinforce was 23,243 The units we were not called upon to reinforce totalled 6314. This included the new brigade formed at the {request of ,'the Imperial authorities. The percentage, except in one instance, had not been fixed by the New Zealand Government, but by the War Office prior to the outbreak of war, and are as follows: Ten per cent to go with the Main Body; twenty per cent six weeks later; and five per cent., monthly thereafter. In November, 1814, two months after the war broke out, as the result of experience, the "War Office asked that reinforcements of infantry and mounted rifles be increased to 25 per cent, monthly, but in December we were able to reduce them to —Mounted Rifles, 10 per cent, infantry, 15 per cent. In view of the casualties to the Mounted Rifles who were fighting as infantry, New Zealand 'Government in June, 1915, offered to increase the reinforcements from 10 to 15 per cent, and to continue the increased percentage so long as the Rifles were used as infantry He thought no one on the Dominion would cavil at that arrangement. In September, 1915, the Government asked if reinforcements would require to be increased in 1916. In consequence of a request from General Bird-wood in October, 1915, the reinforcements of the Mounted Rifles wore reduced, and the infantry increased to 20 per cent. From February, 1916, in-'* intry reinforcements wore being sent - t the rate prevailed until yesterday, when a ■telegram was received askin'- the Government to reduce it to 12 per cent. This reduction would be adhered to until fresh instructions came to band. - It was not possible to reduce

the number of men called up at present, because there was a shortage in the camps which would have to be made up. There had been a discussion on the question of bringing back some part of the Main Body, but this had not been possible, and the Government agreed to bring back on furlough the whole of the Main Body now in Egypt the Dominion, of course, replacing them. It must, however, „be remembered that the men would be back on furlough and he hoped there would be no attempt on the part of the people to induce them to remain at the expiration of the six weeks’ or two months’ leave thus given. It was not possible to bring back all the men in France, but an endeavour would be made to bring back fifty per cent of them. In all probability applications would be asked for from those anxious to return, and some form of preference arranged, probably married men being brought back first. Discussing the position of the Second Division, Sir James Allen said ho did not think a ballot would be held before November or December, and the men would go into camp in January or February, and leave the Dominion some months later.