PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 May 1916, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, YESTERDAY'S PROCEEDING? REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. By Tilegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Replying to questions, Ministers said that Kuflicient opportunities would ba offered during the session for the discussion of the cost of living; that the matter of the shortage of BUgar supplies would be satisfatcorily settled in the mar future; that Colonel Purdy was assistant to the Director-General of medical services; that there were no varied sjbtems of medical examination at Tientham for returned soldiers; that it was hoped that the next census can be taken during a later period of the present year; that it is not at present proposed to increase the pensions payable under the Pensions Act, 1913, from payments under which for the past year were £503,970; that it is not considered desirable to consider the question of the issue of any war medals till alter the termination of war;, that there is no intention to establish military barracks in Wellington; that it is not considered practicable to alter the rates of; pay and allowances to enlisted men, GENERAL MATTERS. When the House met at 2.30, the New Zealand Insurance Company Trust Bill was read a second time, on a division. by 48 to 7. The Minister of Defence read statements in reference to certain military officers, who are alleged to be of Ger. • man parentage. The statements »- lieved the officers concerned of any suspicion. Mr. Buddo asked if the Government would offer a substantial reward for evidence leading to the conviction of the murderer of the Hollands, at Kaiapoi. The Minister of Justice replied that arrangements are now being made in to*. ' direction indicated. 'ADDRESS-IN-REPLY. SIR JOSEPH WARD'S REPLY. Sir Joseph Ward resumed the debate on the He referred at length to the criticisms passed upon the National Government by persons who affected an air of political superiority, and yet had done nothing to assist the Government in a time of a great crista. He could not believe people outside of Parliament were in sympathy with the attitude taken up by some members. He referred to the formation of a National Government as a necessity in time of national trial. Individual party opinions had to be abandoned, for it Was of supreme importance that every effort should be devoted to winning, right out, the war. He referred to the charges made that pro-German influences:, were at work in connection with Government departments, and refuted the allegation that a German firm had been favored }n connection with the wireless Telefunken system, which was owned by a Britleh Company, with British shareholders.' £30,000 had been saved by the acceptance of the company's offer. He detailed what Cabinet was doing regarding enemy concerns in the country, and showed that there was no foundation for the'statement Germans were in-the Telegraph Department. He held that ! the work done in enlisting OOflOOmen under the voluntary system had been marvellous, but people who opposed conscription would rather see compulsion instituted than that this country should go down in the struggle. He showed, the impracticability of the cry for conscription of wealth. Wise and judicious conferences between members of both sides were necessary. Seventeen million pounds would be required this year for tho ordinary expenditure "of the Dominion. This was not the time for pin-pricking criticisms, but for eolid cooperation. Hon. R. H. Rhodes made a brief state, ment concerning his visit to Egypt. He stated that plants, indigenous to Australia and this Dominion would be placed on Gallipoli. He gave a resume of his work at Lemnos and other places, and promised further information later.

MR. RUSSELL SPEAKS VIGOROUSLY Hon. Q. W, Russell ehided those who were seeking to embarrass the Government by demanding its policy. He asked those members what they had done to assist the Government. He pointed out that there was no possible way out of the case that presented itself after the. 1013 elections,, but to form a National Government, and lessen to an infinitesimal degree party strife, and in th'at they hiul succeeded stronglv, He je. fended Mr. Allen and the charees made against the Defence Department. Speaking after the dinner adjournment, Mr. Russell referred to the work carried out by individual Ministers, as. a reply to those who asserted that tfcn National Government had not justified - itself. Referring to the work of the hospitals depot. 4030 soldiers hitd returned, and lfiOO had been put through the local hospitals. A special institution had been established in Otago'tor those sii/Vereing from broken nerves..and another institution had been created for tuberculosis patients. Six hundred sick men are now being provided for in linnpitals. He paid a warm tribute to the medical officers of the department for their loyal services. One-million pounds had been subscribed In the people of Aew Zealand to assist sick and wounded •jUOO had been issued since November last, and 870 passports h„d been iegued to people leaving for Knglaud, after full enquiries had been made in each caw, When men were called up under the proposed Public Service Bill, the monev subscribed to the War Funds Council would be partly utilised in assisting; the poorer districts of the Dominion. He defended the pensions scheme, and said that practically all the criticism against the measure had been provide* for in the amending Bill. Money subscribed by patriotic societies would be devoted to assisting sick and wounded. He estimated that pensions would cost about £2OO 000 per year, and local funds would supply fifty per cent, supplementation of the pensions, it was a mutter of supreme satisfaction that while th« country had provided the highest pension in the world, that pension would be supplemented by fifty per cent. Regard. ing the. cost of living, he pointed out that a concession had alreadv heeh made .to the railwaymen, and he felt sure'that ••before the session was over it would be shown that other sections of the Goveminent service would not he fnrgottw. After the war he hoped there would-fce peace with victory, and that the German navy would disappear, nu.M-wiM # would cost this countrv one million % ■ year for defence. After Mr. Guthrie replied, the Ad&res* was carried, and the House adiouniatt ai ' 8,25 p,o§ " mw.