PARLIAMENT

Taranaki Daily News, 10 July 1915, Page 4

PARLIAMENT

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. PROGRESS 01? BILLS. By Telegraph.— Press Association. Wellington, Last. Night. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. Ihe following Hills were read a first time:—Statutory Compilations, Enemy Contract, Local Authorities Empowering, Arbitration Amendment, N.Z. Society of Accountants Amendment. Second readings wore carried in tile following liills: trailing witli the Enemy Amendment, Regulation of Trade and Commerce Amendment, Statutes Compilation. The Council adjourned at 3.5 p.m. until Tuesday.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. THE MEDICAL SERVICE. The House met at '2,30 .Sir Joseph (Ward asked the Minister for Public Health whether he would take steps to organise the medical profession in New Zealand on much the same lines as had been done in Australia. The Minister, in reply;, said that if it were found possible to comply with the request lie would do so, but be must confer with his colleague, the Minister of Defence, on the point. MILITARY CAMPS. Sir Joseph Ward asked if the Government would appoint a legal gentleman to represent the men's interests in connection with the Trentham inquiry. Mr. Massey said nothing had ibecn decided on the point. He would consult the Attorney-General, and if it was thought desirable to appoint a legal representative it would she done. ill reply to Mr. McCullum, the Minister said he would be glad to have particulars of an oll'er or a eamp site in Marlborough in order to record it. The Government had decided to shift the camp at Trentham, and operations to this end had been commenced this morning. Jt had heen decided to establish camps at Waikanae, Tauherenikau, and two on the Foxton line. The showground at Palmerston North would also be utilised. Some of these sites selected might be unsuitable, and he would like to have all offers available from which Bul>sequent selections could be made. In these new camps the men would be placed in tents. The sick men would not be sent to the new camps; they would remain where they were. Dr. Thacker asked the Minister of Ptiblie Health •whether he was aware that measles were being distributed all over the dominion 'by troopers being allowed to leave the eamp. The Minister replied that if contacts were leaving Wellington they must be «ent back, DR. THACKER AND VANDALISM. In reply to Mr. Wander, Mr. Allen said the hospital ship yra.s being equipped partly out of Government funds and partly by publio subscriptions. He took advantage of the question to refer to the action of Dr. Tiuieker, who yesterday, while ob the ship, cut open a pillow and a mattress and extracted part of the material of which they were made. The ibnlk of the mattresses had been paid for out of the fund organised by the Government. Five hundred of them had been made by the Scoullar Company, of Wellington, The hair and feathers used had ibecn sterilised, and he was sorry an act of vandalism had been committed iby Dr. Thacker, who ought to have gone to the proper anthorities and made his representations to them. Dr. Thacker denied ho had committed any act of vandalism, and if he had ho would do it again.

WAR PENSIONS'. The Military Camps Dill (Dr. Thicker) was introduced and rt'ad a first time. Amendments made by the Legislative in the Statutes Compilation Bill and the Trading with the Knemy Bill were agreed to. Mr. Allen, moving the second reading of tho War Pensions Bill, explained that the measure came into operation only when solUiers left the shores of the dominion. The Bill went further than the Australian Jaw in this respect. A comparison of the schedules with other Tensions Acts was also in our favor. Sir Joseph Ward said they looted upon the Bill as a national one. lie congratulated the Minister on the general outlines of-the measure. He pointed out the difference between the superannuation and pension seliwne, and said that naturally a pension could not be made as large as " a superannuation grant, tie thought there should he a uniformity of pension paid to those who participated in the South African war and those wliu were taking part in the present war. Tie hoped in dealing with eases of partial disablement the boards would act generously. Mr. Poland adversely criticised the schedule, lie contended that pavments to privates did not, go far enough, and he saitl we should be prepared to do ample justice to those who were prepared to fight, for the Empire. [.Messrs Malcolm, Buddo, and Fletcher argued in favor of more generous treatment, particularly in the case of disabled soldiers.

The House rose at o.SO p.m. The House resumed at TJJU p.m. ■Mr. 1!. Fletcher suggested that the ■pension for men on the' bottom rumr of the ladder should l;o increased. The whole country would expect Parliament to adequately -provide for tho-e who volunteered for service in the lighting

Mr. 1!. A. Vi right said that lie was willing to pay any taxation necessary to provide a generous pension. Mr. 1 1 . M. Isift said he recognised the inrpossToiiity of the Government bringing down an altogether lavish scheme, and was convinced When the right time came the Government would he just as ready as everyone else to make more generous ■]iro\i.-ion for those who had gone out to light at the front. At the same time, he must raise his voice with those members who had already contended 25s pei- week was altogether inadequate for a mail who is totally disabled. ■Mr. A. Harris thought the amount should be us per day. 'Mr. A. Walker thought if the sca'fc was passed into law it would be followed by a falling o(T of recruiting.

'Mr. G. W. Russell considered that the Minister had faithfully endeavored to improve the pension law of the dominion. Looking at finance after twelve millions of loans had been expended, he held that with collateral charges as the result of the war there -would be an additional burden of two millions thrown upon the dominion. Therefore, caution was necessary. The amount of the -pensions could later on be increased if desirable.

.Messrs. W. T. Jennings, 1). TSuiek, AVittv, MeComlis, Veiteli, Dr. Tliackor, Wcl>V>, Aiistev, Talbot, MncDoiuild, 'Kanan, MeCallivm, MeXab, 'Payne ami Okey also spoke. The Minister, in reply, quoted figures t«j show that two years under tlw pro-

posals there would be required .£898.000. !ln defended t'lie rates of pension paid to ollicers us privates. Clause 10 would lie amended providing for proof of disablement being sul'imitted ufier seven yeai's. The second reading was carried, and the 'House rose at 12.40 a.m.