PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 October 1917, Page 4

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. By Telegranh. —'Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. In the Legislative Council this afte* noon the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Bill was explained by Sir Francis Bel. arid read a second time, the Bill Being set down for committal the following day. HOUSE, OF REPRESENTATIVES The House met at 2.50. REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. Replying to Mr. Witty, Hon. W. D. S.Mac Donald said there was no truth in. the rumor that the Government had refused an offer to load three ships .with wheat in Australia, for fear of trouble at this end. No offer in any shape had been made to the Government, and not every ship could be used, as the sacks were poor and special ships Ver* required. Replying to Mr. Parr, Sir, James Allen saifl lie admitted the (hardship territorial officers were suffering in nob being able to obtain commissions in the reinforcements. Since the quota of the reinforcements had been reduced it had been possible to officer the reinforcements with men who had seen service at the He had been endeavoring to encourtgdß that idea as much as possible. M Replying to Mr. Isitt, the Premier s«W the Government had under consideration the question of confiscating the laiid held by men who disappeared and were failing to do their duty under the Military Service Act. >

Speaking on the same subject, Sir James Allen said the member for Mataura had an amendment for this purpose before the House, and the Hnuiw would decide the point. SICK-AND WOUNDED SOLDIERS In laying on the table a return of-sielf and wounded soldiers, Hon. G. sell said that in view of the steady in- ' crease of patients by recent arrivals, the country would have to face the expense of considerable additions to soma of its curative institutions. THE ADDITIONAL LOAN. The War Purposes Loan Bill (No. T) was introduced by Governor's message. The Bill proposes to raise an additional four millions for war purposes.