PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 May 1916, Page 4

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, CLOSING OF LIQUOR BARS By Telegraph.—Press Association. ■ , Wellington, Last Night: The House met at 3.30 p.m. A number of petitions, praying tint liquor bars ibe closed at 0 p.m. during the continuance of the war, were pre> s«nted. . THE REINFORCEMENTS. Replying to ». question, Mr. Allen Defence Minister), said the Dommfcn was originally asked to supply from 8000 to 8000 men. After Gallipol/Te total number was raised to 22,000 and reinforcements would be required to maintain the latter number. If the whole of the forces now flghting were wiped out they would be replaced. the Minister stated, with a view to ' relieving the anxiety of parent! an*' friend, to soldiers, that it was unlikely casualty lists would he available untija week after the fighting took place. A NEW BILL. . " The Expiring Laws Continuance Bill was introduced by governor's me»i«M.:. and read; a first f .. :•/ T"*^, WAR ; PENSIONS. *^ The War Pensions Amendment Bit! was recommitted. Mr. Allen-moved that the clause added last night), giving the Pensions Board power to refuse o pension to a person of notoriously bad character, be struck out. He «aid there was a conflict of opinion regaWine the wording of the clause, but a suitable amendment would be introduced in the Legislative Council. On the motion for the third reading of the Bill, e lengthy debate, similar to that on the second reading, ensued,the speakers generally contending that the pensions were inadequate. \ EVENING SITTING The House resumed nt 7.30, when the debate was continued. Mr. Massey, said so much misrepresentation had been made that he found it necessary to reply. He deprecated attacks made on Sir Joseph Ward dur- : ing his absence owing to illness. He hoped it would not be n precedent. Refeiring to the adverse remarks of Mr." Hindmarsh, the Premier said the members of the Secret Committee of De-" fence were responsible for the Pensions Bill. He read extracts from Mr. Hind.marsh's speech last yeai to show the wide difference between tho view* then expressed and his opinions that day. He considered they had gone as far as they could go in pensions. The war might drag on for a long while. They must look ahead in regard to expenditure. They had done better than any other Dominion. He condemned the exhibitions of party -spirit shown during the debate, and spoke, in'term* qJ. appreciation cf. those members who had" gi\jen the National 'Government loitral <• support and made an effort to assist the > Empire during the present struggle. Mr. Allen, in reply, repudiated thq • suggestion that the recruiti.lg movement had been adversely influenced bv either pay or pension. All had been actuated by pure patriotism,. He denied that amendments in the Bill had been. forced upon the-Government by outsido criticism. The Government hail to consider its responsibilities, not nnry a to-day, but those of tho future. The third reading of the Bill Wa. carried. "THE WILLOCHRA. The Minister of Tiiiilie Health made a statement concerning the disinfecting process used on the Willochra. He saiil every precaution had been taken to ensure the health of the men and crews.