PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 May 1916, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

1 1 !. jitfji w on ras' wuaftdMSfr' ■ • - *- , ,\ some men to l„ „, \y£qis> ', By relwrrapk—Press Associaiian. Wellington, Last Night. The House of Representatives met; *l' ' 2.30 p.m.. . ■■ I ■ The Minister of Public Health made at statement to the effect <,hat the VTU< ' lochra had been doubly fumigated, once by the Health authorities, aid ones by the Union Co. She would also leave with an entirely new crew. No fresh cases of smallpox had been reported amongst the men in quarantine, a great many of whom would bo released oil Monday or Tuesday. The statement was made to reassure friends of soldier*. A number of private members' Bill* were read a first time, SHORTAGE OF OFFICERS. The House the* proceeded to diseuM Ministerial answers to questions.' In the course of a reply to questions .era* . cerning the forces, the Hon. J. Altai stated he had received word front the General Officer Commanding at the front that they were woefully short of ofito*r%. OTHER MATTERS.' Replying to questions Ministers mH there was no delay of any consequence in the presentation of the Royal Commissioner's report on the Grierson owe; the Government consider that the proposal made that all public servants, "be granted half-pay whilst o« active serviee is so far-reaching that it is impracticable; the House will be given an oppor* tunity this session of dealing with th* question of "treating"; the matter of the date of the coming into operation of tho Legislative Council Act, 1914) WOI - be considered before the session ■fwues to an end; the decision of the Government in regard to increases of salaries. to members of the Public Service will be announced in the near future; the Government do not intend to introduce ' an amendment to the Public Service Aft - during the present, session; 'that the matter of checking' the extravagant importation of motor ears to conserve ship* ■ ping accommodation is receiving ti»e at- . tention of the Government; adequate steps are taken to prevent any carcases-, not of sufficiently good quality to eon- . stitutc wholesome food material berag utilised either for export or for consumption within New Zealand; that the collection of full and precise information as to the last resting places of **n ' who fell'at Gallipoli had engaged tse attention of the Defence Department, • and suitable crosses with brass inscription plates would be erected j it was considered desirable to acquire the fnft-~ hold of the camp site at Rangiotu.; ear* tain adjustments, of the railway, tariff J may be necessary' in order to provide lor ■ the increased expenditure which will he , incurred by the granting of a "war bonus to the staff, but the revised rates will not be brought into operation until after tho termination of the war; it is not proposed to make provision for a lighthouse on the Three Kings on this year's estimates; it is not intended to legislate,during the present session • on the subject of pitying increased euma. for condemned stock. ' WAR PENSIONS. The debate on the War Pension* Amendment Bill was resumed by Mr. A; H. Hindmarsh (Wellington South), who , advocated the creation of endowments to meet liabilities contingent on the war. He considered the pension for »■, ,child should be 10s per week. Sir Joseph Ward said each member of _ the interest of soldiers' pensions.-' So tho Ministry was doing his utmost in on« could say until .the war was over how many children would have to be provided for, nor how much money . would be required to meet war charges, ■, He contended it was impossible for i&j country in the world to give a pension , for the amount that a man was drawing , when in able-bodied employment. Mr. G. Anderson (Mataura), thought the Bill an admirable amendment of the • Act passed last session, but the amount , set down for children should be in- : creased. ,»,_«.. Mr, L. M. Isltt (Christehurch North), said the lives of those injured at the • war should not be embittered by thoughts as to the future of their de. pendents. The people of New ZeV land expected Parliament to err on tn» side of generosity out of gratitude to the men who had made imperishable names for themselves in this great war. The debate was continued by Mr, Field (Nelson), and Mr. J. Payne (Grej Lynn). Mr. Massey said the Government wen so anxious to provide as liberally in pen* sions as anv private member, but they had to look* forward to the time when the men who returned from the war had to be provided for and when there would be no war profits. He thought the expenditure would go up to a million pounds per month, and interest wonw have to be provided on that amount. Then the pensions scheme must be able to stand any strain of depressed times. He dealt with the opinions expressed by several'-speakers in the debate and said the Pensions' Board could not b» abolished on account of the nature ot the cases for consideration. There was ; no better scheme of pensions in the world than that in New Zealand, and the Dominion would .continue to lead. Mr. Witty claimed that the Australian pension for children exceeded that proposed to be paid in the Bill, He approved the suggestion of endowment, t Mr. Veitch considered there should be provision for appeal from decisions ■ ■ of the Board. Mr. Allen replied to the criticism*, pointing out that it was impossible to 'comply with all contingencies. The second reading was carried. The House rose at 1.15 a.m.