POLITICAL.

Taihape Daily Times, 29 October 1917, Page 4

POLITICAL.

A COMMITTEE INCIDENT. MINISTER WITHDRAWS FEpM: HOUSE. * WELLINGTON, October 27. The Minister for Internal Affair* and Mr. Witty figured in a remarkable incident during the committee stage of the Washing-Up Bill in the House this evening. Mr Witty asked if a clause relating to the boundaries of Taupo county had anything to do with the Minister l of Internal Affairs. The latter explained that it was inserted at the request of a conference of settlers and Mr Jennings corroborated this statement. Subsequently Mr Wittoasked if there had been any alteration of the county boundary which excluded Mr Russell's holding from the rating area. The Hon. G. W. Russell replied "I'll give the House a straight answer, and, put this man in his place. Two County Councils, Wairoa and Hawke's Bay,. wished to reconstruct their boundaries. There are no areas which don't pay rates, because every property in New Zealand is liable to pay rates for hospital purposes. '' Mr. Witty: But not local rates. Betrue, if you can. The chairman requested that interruption cease. The Hon. Russell demanded the protection of the chairman, and that the remark be withdrawn with an apologyMr. Witty: Not by me, I won't. Hon. Russell: I won't proceed' until it is done. The chairman proceeded to put the clause to the committee, when Mr. Russell rose and left the Chamber, remarking: "If I can't get protection from the chair I won't remain in the'House.''

THE EXEMPTED TEACHERS

A FAR-REACHING CLAUSE.

DEFENCE MINISTER'S OPINION . WELLINGTON, Oct 28. Mr Heaton Rhodes asked the De- i fence Minister to-day what would bethe real effect of the clause inserted fn the Expeditionary Forces Bill last* night, exempting all school-teachers. The member desired to know whether it. would apply- to teachers' already* ? called up by ballot, whether they-were-•or were not in camp, and tc those now serving at the front. ' !; .- Sir James Allen replied that, as he could the amendment made was very wide-reaching. It would exempt teachers who had not been called up,, also every schools," teacher who. becomes twenty years of age. "As far as I can gather," added.; the Minister "although Lam not quitesure about this, it is possible the amendment may exempt all • schoolteachers now serving iff camp, c 'sdnie also who have been tried by courtmartial and are in gaol. I do not think it will exempt school-teachers-already serving at the front." Mr Jennings: How can it? You know the military law. Sir James Alien: Well, I am not sure of that yet. The clause is undoubtedly far-reaching_ MINISTERS IN GAOL. Dr. Newman inquired of the fence Minister this afternoon if, as a consequence of exemption by the \ House of all ministers of religion, he would give orders for the release of two or three clergymen belonging tothe Testimony of the Church of Jesus, who are now in prison for refusing to perform military service

Sir James Allen replied: The bill is not passed yet and I cannot say what will be the position when it is passed. It is, in any case, not meto decide whether they come within the four corners of the Act or not. It will be for the Military Service Boards to decide.

In the House, Mr Field, of Nelson, gave the National Cabinet some fur* ther information, to the effect that an alien firm, said to be German, had bought land in a New Zealand and was establishing works there. The company was a branch of a very larga firm that had made itself felt in AuS* tralia. Yet another instance: "Is tha Prime Minister aware that a foreigner is in charge of the loading of oufi transports at the wharf here?" asked Mr. J. Vigor Brown of Napier in tha House. "What nationality?" asked Mr. Massey, Mr. Brown didn't know, but he was a foreigner; and a man' in that position should be. a Briton* Mr Fletcher, who wharveg well, added, that the a Dana* and his knowledge of English is limifa ed. Yet that foreigner is ordering Britons about! Surely there is tha limTt. Yet the Cabincf thinks itself worried when such cases are urged td be reformed out of existence. ,1