WELLINGTON NOTES.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 October 1915, Page 5

WELLINGTON NOTES.

MOSTLY PARLIAMENTARY.

'From Our Own Correspondent.)

Wellington, Oct. 6. A return placed before the House of Representatives to-day, on the motion of the Hon. A. M. Myers, shows that the number of employees in the public service who have volunteered and have been accepted for active service is 2408, comprising 1420 men from the Railway Department and 938 men from the branches under the Public Service Commissioner. The total number, of male employees of military ago in the public service is 13,198 (married 0941, single 0257), comprising 7705 railway men and 0433 men in the other departments. When the refusal of the Justice Department to allow members of the police force to join the expeditionary forces was being discussed, Mr. P. C. Webb (Grey) said he knew of one reason why the police force had to lie maintained at full strength. A confidential communication, addressed to the police superintendents, had contained the following sentences:—

•'Please cause careful and confidential inquiries to be made in your district as to the probability of any labor troubles arising therein at an early date. It is known that Sernple and other Federation agitators have 'been reorganising the labor malcontents for some time past, and it is believed that he and others asaociated with him are watching and waiting for an opportunity to cause further trouble. Every effort should be made to find out what is going on about the Wharf laborers! and Seamens' Unions, and other labor unions iu and around the cittes. It should also be ascertained through the country constables whether there is some move-

ment among those employed on

dairy and farm work." Mr. Webb said lie did not think it right that the police force should be used on work of this kind.

, The Attorney-General (Hon. A. L. Herdman) suggested tliat the point raised by Mr. Webb was out of order, and the Speaker ruled that the member for Grey must not proceed. In answer to a question put to-day by Mr. J. Craigie (Timaru), the Defence Minister said that it seemed to him a reasonable and proper proposal that men who had been invalided from the front and given their discharge should be allowed to retain their uniforms. He would give instructions to that effect. The men might not be allowed to wear the uniforms on ordinary occasions, but he thought they should be allowed to do bo on the day when the main body returned from the front, tf the war medals had arrived by tliat time he would like to see every member of the expeditionary forces, past and present, wearing uniform and medal on the glorious day of peace. The War Regulations Amendment Bill, which was introduced today, gives the Minister for Defence authority to requisition military supplies of any kind. The owner or occupier of any factory or workshop deemed to be suited for the production of military supplies may be required by requisition to manufacture and sell to the Defence Department. The delivery of the requisition is to constitute a contract, the price to be fixed by arbitration if agreement is not reached. In the event of failure to comply with the requisition the Defence Minister may take possession of the premises and use tkein for the reuired purpose.