REPATRIATION PROPOSALS.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 December 1918, Page 5

REPATRIATION PROPOSALS.

I EFFORT TO FORCE GOVERNMENTT'S | ' V ■ ' HANDS- -■ t BESENTEifI BY SIK JOSEPH WARD. Wellington, Saturday. When tho House was fyr.ther.considering the Repatriation Bill in &mjjjiitee to-day, the Minister, for Defence promised that the question of retrospective separation allowances would be talcen into consideration when the distribution of gratuities to foreign service men was being undertaken. He indicated that the amount due to the men on tie basis of retrospective payment proposed by the Returned Soldiers' Association might he taken in considering the distribution of the gratuity. A good deal of strong feeling was displayed in the discussion of the question of "control The Returned Soldiers' Association has been canvassing vigorously in favor of a single Minister of Repatriation, as against the Board of Ministers proposed by the Bill, and the effect of their efforts was seen in the House. Sir Joseph Ward made a protest against the attempt to force the hands of the Government. He said that it was not right to bring so much pressure to bear upon a Government while retaining it in office. • No party Government could tolerate such a state of affairs, and people ought not to take advantage of a National Government. Mr Massey argued that the chairman of the board would be the equivalent of the single Minister, since he could toe held responsible for matters of policy, and the provision was retained by 34