MILITARY SERVICE.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 June 1916, Page 5

MILITARY SERVICE.

BILL BEFORE PARLIAMENT* FURTHER DISCUSSION. ( • By Telegraph,—Press Association. Wclington, June 7 In the Arouse this evening Hon. A. M. Myers read a return showing that eighty exemptions had been granted during six months. No farmers were inehujed.

After further discussion Mr. Payne withdrew his motion for the deletion of sub-section C of clause 17. . Mr. Isitt urged the claim of members of the Society of Friends to consideration.

Hon. James Allen , submitted an amendment exempting a- religious objector from military service on condition that he volunteered for civil or non-eombativo service with the Expeditionary Forces.

A sub-clause was added to clause li, on the motion of Mr. Jennings, that it shall be sullicieiit evidence of undue hardships, on an appeal, that appellant is the sole surviving son of his parents, and that one or more of his brothers has served with some portion of the forces in connection with the present war, and lost his life by reason of '.such service. At 12.L> a.m. a division was taken on Hon, James Allen's amendment exempting a religious objector. This'was lost by 2!> votes to -20. Mr. Wilkinson moved, in 'clause 18, to increase the number of members of the Military Service Board from, three to five, but thif was lost on a division bv 31 to 13. ' t Clauses up to 28 were agreed to, subject to reconsideration of provision's in clauses 22 and 20. Progress wa? reported at 1.30 and the House adjourned. ; Wellington, Last Night. In the House of Representatives this' afternoon consideration of the Military Service Bill, in committee, on Clause 28 was resumed. Considerable discussion took place upon Clause 21), giving employers the right to appeal against the enrolment of an employee, whether with or without his knowledge and consent.

Labor members strongly resisted the clause, contending that it" gave employers too much power. Tli the course of discussion, Hon'. A. L. Herdman stated that if men, of tli a police force were allowed to enlist it would denude the force of 170 men, which, in the interests of public safety could not be permitted. ' An amendment by Mr. McCombsj with the object of depriving an employer of the right of appealing- against the, enrolment oF «n employee, with or without the hitter's consent, was lost'on a division by 4!) to G.

Sir. Witty moved an amendment that tin employer shall not be father or mother of an employee under the <>Uiu«e. This was carried on the voices. !

in Clause 3(1. dealing with indictable offences, Jlr. Wilkinson proposed to add to the punishment allotted the deprivation of civil rights. This was strongly opposed, mainly by Labor members. On the House resuming after dinner, Mr. Wilkinson's amendment was rejected by S3 to 21 ■„■

With the Minister's consent the maximum term of imprisonment for indictnbli- offences was reduced from five years In three years. Clause 37, ''.Employers not to employ reservists unless enrolled," was objected to, but was retained on tlic voices. Clause 3fl, ''Employers not to employ deserters,'' was also opposed, but WM retained on n division In- 40 to 12. In Clause 41 Mr. ffilford divided the House on tlie motion that the words "or imperfect'' be omitted from, the subsection providing n penalty for' misleadin;? answers to a constable. Tne words were retained by 37 to 24.

After discussion the Minister agreed to the words being deleted. Tlie committee stage of the BUI was concluded at 12.1.3 a.m., and progress was reported, the third reading being fixed for the next sitting of the' House, at 2..10. The House, rose at 12.45/ a.m.