MILITARY SERVICE BILL.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 June 1916, Page 7

MILITARY SERVICE BILL.

FURTHER DISCUSSION. SIR JOSEPH WARD'S REPLY. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, June fl. Amendments made by the committee m the Military Service Bill were agreed to, and the House proceeded to the third reading debate. Messrs. Isitt, Wil.ford, Dr. Newman, Poole, McCallum, and Hindmarsh took part, mainly reiterating the arguments used on the second reading. Mr. Webb was speaking when the House adjourned. After the dinner adjournment, Mr. Poland (Ohinemuri), continued the debate. He argued that the measure should have been brought down last >ear, and should have provided for absolute compulsion. Sir J. 6. Ward said that lie had been unable to speak on the second reading, and he proceeded to deal with certain objections raised. He showed that the power was given under the Police Offences Act to arrest on suspicion, and that the provision to arrest without warrant in connection with the Military Service Bill was not new. He denied the right of four or five members in the House to speak for Labor in New Zealand, and was prepared to assert that the working men of the Dominion were prepared to do their best—to give their lives, if necessary—to defend' the Empire from the enemy. He did not think that the measure could have been carried a year ago. As to the try for the seizure of war profits he asked:' Why did not the objectors wait until the Government proposals were brought down? Some of these who professed indignation at the proposals in the Bill had endeavoured to hinder recruiting by asking for impossible conditions. °He pointed out that 2700 had gone from two brandies of the Public Service alone. All classes of' workers had done magnificently. \Vere they not justified in taking steps to compel*men who were physically fit to take their share? He accepted full responsibility for supporting every provision in the'Bill. They were determined to show the Old Couii-

try and her Allies that this country was prepared, to do its utmost hy supplying nil the men it could to help win tin; war. Mr. Field (Nelson) quoted a number of extracts from Labor journals to show the attitude of that party towards recruiting. Dr. Thicker (Christchurch East), in the course of his remarks, said that our rallying orv should not he "'Win the war," but, '"Kitchener, Kitchener!" He I'aid o warm tribute to the part taken by athletes in the war. Mr. Massey said that the state of unpreparedness in which Britain was found at the opening of the war could not continue, otherwise Britain must fill. Therefore he favoured an Imperial conscription law. hut until then tins Bill was necessary to enable the Dominion to place every ounce of energy at the disposal of . the Umpire. The voluntary system had not failed, and might.not fail, but we could not take risks. We' must look ahead. fjo long as the voluntary system brought in the men required the compulsory clauses would not he put into operation, but there was one clause he hoped would be put into operation without delay, and that was the clause dealing witli the family shirker.

Mr. Massey continued: We must find the men, and 05 percent, of the peoplo aie with the Government in the way or' doing it. What the Empire wanted most was soldiers, in which respect New Zealand had nobly done her duty. The men sent must be clothed and equipped and no country had done better in this respect. Our men were well clothed and fed. Regarding exports of produce, Mr Massey said that the withdrawal of so many producers must affect our industries, and he was afraid that wo would dot be able to keep up our exportation' of produce at the same rate as in previous years. Many men who had retired were returning to work, and possibly be fore long we would have to call upon the women,- who he was confident would willingly respond, but it was the duly of every one, especially public men," to look ahead and prepare our organisations. He saw no immediate prospect of the war ending at an early date, and in the event of it continuing, the country, could rely on the Government bringing down legislation and strong legislation, too, to deal with any °crit?cal situation which may arise. ' He was filad to see that there was no marked opposition to the Bill in the conntrv Tt would/prove a great stimulus to recruiting in the Dominion and be a valuable incentive to other parts of the Empire Here again New Zealand was in the lead, with legislation. Mr. Wi'lty advocated the inclusion of one or more women on Appeal Boards and urged ample provision for dependents of soldiers.

Mr. Jennings complimented the Min- ; ister upon the generous spirit in which .P had accepted the amendments, so ■ helping to improve the Bill. Hon. G. W. Russell referred to the importance of maintaining the food supplies required for army purposes. He thought that now »rr»n»eiiii*i]ts had been made for securing men for the war it would be necessary to organise for the Civil Sr. vice. He questioned the right ot three or four members of the House to represent themselves as leaders of Labor, and pointed out that When the Territorial question was under consideration these men had contended that union rates of pay should lie made, lie dealt with the cry for "conscription of wealth, and asserted that, when analysed, it became the mildest socialism. Although every latitude had been given by the it was a matter for surprise that so few alterations had heen made on the Bill, after the fullest and freest discussion. He congratulated the Minister of Defence, AttorneyGeneral and Parliament 011 the passage | of the Bill, which would assist New' ZealaHd to do her share in bringing about an honorable peace. Mr. Fletcher contended that Xe\v Zealand had made too large an offer of men. It. could not be maintained without crippling cyir resources. •He was against its principle and would vote against the Bill. Mr. Smith chided the Labor Party with missing the opportunity of their career in opposing the Bill. He urged the Government to see to the interests of those sent to the frdnt. We were concerned by the extension of the Moratorium Act. Hon. A. L. Myers said that the Bill was necessary, because men were-;want-ed. The side that could last longest would win this war of attrition. The Bill was a proclamation to the world of our inflexible determination to pursue the war to a successful conclusion. The five factors in concluding the war were food, finance, ammunition, morale and men. Our food was fortunately abundant and the finance of the Allies was practically assured. Any .slackness in our ammunition would only lead to

an unsatisfactory peace, and, possibly, another war, while our Allies were completely mobilised. It was our duty to do our Share. Under these circumstances Now Zealand was not doing more than her share, but our determination should be to do even more if necessary. Messrs Ell and Wilkinson supported the Bill. Mr. Payne said that he and those with him regarded the Bill as unnecessary. and should have been kept back until really required. He argued that there wore too. many exemptions provided fo".

JIEASURE CARRIED. Wellington, June 10. After the telegraph office closed, Mr. Wilkinson, while supporting the Bill, pointed out several defects which, in his opinion, still remained. At 2.5 a.m. Mr. Allen rose to reply. He refuted the statement that there was 110 mandate from the country. He condemned the attitude taken up by the opponents of the Bill. They were misled and, what was worse, they were misleading. Dealing with the religious objections he had no doubt sensible appeals would be heard by the board. All members of the Government had done their best to make the Bill as workable as possible. It was recognised that much would depend upon the military boards, which would b# composed of strong earnest men. The general idea was to make them civil boards. He was sorry they had not been able to convince those who were opposed on principle to the Bill. He did not pietend the Bill gu/o equality of sacrifice, but they had gone as near it as possible. It was certainly more just and equitable than the voluntary system,, under which moral pressure had been exercised. He held that the -quota of men offered had not been too large considering the resources of the country, and he felt the majority of people would like to see even more. Our forefathers had to fight for their liberties, and we had to fight for ours, and that was what the Bill would help- us to accomplish. There had been an increase of recruiting since the Bill had been drafted. He hoped it would so stimulate recruiting that, as in America, it would not be necessary to put into effect the compulsory clause. The Bill made it clear that they would be able to supply the quota of men that had been promised. A division was taken at 2.40, and the Bill carried by 44 votes to 4, amidst applaiife and the singing of the National Anthem. The noes were Messrs. Payne, M'Combs, Webb and Fletcher. Messi . Flimlmarsh and Walker paired again >1 the Bill. The House rose at 2.45.