PARLIAMENT.

Taihape Daily Times, 30 October 1917, Page 4

PARLIAMENT.

SIR JAMES ALLEN ANSWERS r QUESTIONS j ' WELLINGTON, this" day. j The Legislative Council met at il a.m., and apointed new members to confer with the House of Representatives on the amendments to the Expeditionary 1 Forces Amendment’' Bill as follows:—Sir Francis Walter Buchanan ? Hons, 7 Aitken !>; atid Fisher. - • - 1 The; House of Representatives met at -11 a.m. Replying to‘ Mr Mander, the Minister of Defence said the question of utilising the services of Jugoslavs had been under consideration several times. These people held a' meeting at Auckland to decide what course they should pursue, and the Government was waiting for a full report’ of that meeting before coming to any decision. He hoped it would be I possible to make arrangements to use j the services of the Jugo-Slavs in a j corps being raised in Australia or in { somewhere to work in New Zealand. The only question was to be sure of their loyalty.

Replying to Mr Wright, the Minister of Defence said the Government had made provision for men who joined the motor patrol service so far as pensions and provision for their wives and children was concerned, but they could not see their way to go so, far as to raise the pay of single men to the New Zealand level, nor could they go so far as to extend financial assistance to men of that service.

Replying to Mr the Minister of Defence said, as a general rule, men who had final leave but who were not ready to depart, had been allowed to return to their homes wthout pay to participate in farm work.

Replying to Mr Poole, the Minister of Defence said the position of New Zealanders who joined the Imperla Navy would be considered by the Government, but he desired to point out that these men were not on the same footing as- the men who joined the motor patrol ; they having joined the navy without the knowledge or consent of the Government.

Replying to Mr Field (Otaki), the Minister said so far as he knew the casualty lists published were complete up to date of publication. Sometime cables were delayed but as a general rule the lists were complete. The Speaker at this stage announced that the Legislative Council agreed to hold a second conference with the House on the subject of the Expeditionary Forces Bill, and the House adjourned at 11.15 for that purpose.