PARLIAMENTARY.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 July 1915, Page 4

PARLIAMENTARY.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

REPLIES- TO -QUESTION'S. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last- Night. When the House met this afternoon in reply to Sir J. G. Ward, who drew attention to the cases of two troopers who had returned by the Willochra, and whose parents had not hei.v notified of their departure for their homes the Minister of Defence said tli ■ trouble, was that some of the men had travelled north, not by the hospital train, but by a train of their own seie.'iiun.. It was difficult to keep trace of the movements of these men. So far as the southern men were concerned, some had gone home by other steamers. He only regretted now that he had not insisted upon every man going home by the Willochra.

In reply to Mr. (!. W. Russell, the Minister said he had no knowledge of any ease of men returning from leave and their being told they could- not be received into camp. There must be a misunderstanding if such ca.ys existed, and he asked to be supplied with the names of men, and he would make inquiry.

In reply to Mr. J. Colvin, the Minister said that in sending wounded men home by steamer medical officers were instructed to grant first class or steerage passages at their discretion.. These inBtructions applied to West Coast ports just as to other ports. In reply to Sir J. (i. Ward, the Mini*, ter of Defence said that he was inquiring from the Imperial authorities regarding the supply of winter clothing to our troops at the Dardanelles.

In reply to Sir J. 0. Ward, the Minister of Railways said that refunds would be granted to parents who travelled to Wellington to meet the Willochra, if they could satisfy the Department that they came bona-fide to meet a wound-d soil returning by that steamer. Tii reply to Dr. A. K. Newman, 'ho Ti-ime Minister said that he believed wounded New Zea landers were now lieing sent to England, rather than to Egypt. Tie quite endorsed the sii""e<tion. 00

Sir .1. (i. Ward asked the Minister whether sick leave could be given !n men who were recovering from influenza. The Minister said that this was entirely a matter for the medical men.

Mr. C. Witty asked the Minister to instruct .oflieials to hoc Uiat more pare was exercised i„ flic drill notices issued to Territorials. A man who joined the Main Expeditionary Force was killed at the Dardanelles, and despite the fact that the officials had been informed of his death these notices were- still beins sent, and his parents had been nuieii hurt by the notifications. The Minister said he would have the matter enquired into. NKW BILLS. The Shops and Offices Amendment Kill' (Mr. A. M. Myers) was introduced and read a first time. The Church Property Amendment Bill was received from the Legislative Council nnd read a first time.