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1909. NEW ZEALAND.

DEFENCE BILL COMMITTEE (REPORT OF), TOGETHER WITH MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS AND APPENDIX. (Hon. Sir W. J. STEWARD, Chairman.)

Beport brought up 10th December, 1909, and ordered to be printed.

ORDERS OF REFERENCE. Extracts from the Journals of the House of Representatives. Friday, the 3ed Day of December, 1909. Ordered, " That a Select Committee be appointed, consisting of ten members, to whom shall be referred the Defence Bill; three to form a quorum : the Committee to consist of Mr. Allen, Mr. Brown, Mr. Clark, Mr. Fisher, Mr. Hanan, Mr. Jennings, Mr. Reed, Mr. Rhodes, Hon. Sir W. J. Steward, and the mover."—(Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward.) Ordered, " That the Defence Bill be referred to a Select Committee to be appointed to consider the same."—(Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward.)

EEPOET. The Committee to whom was referred the Defence Bill have the honour to report that they have ■carefully considered the same, and recommend that it be allowed to proceed with the amendments shown on the attached copy. The reports of Colonel Robin and staff are attached herewith. 10th December, 1909. W. J. Steward, Chairman. MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS. Thursday, 9th December, 1909. The Committee met at 10.30 a.m., pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Allen, Mr. Clark, Mr. Fisher, Mr. Hanan, Mr. Jennings, Mr. Reed, Mr. Rhodes, Hon. Sir W. J. Steward, Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward. The order of reference setting up the Committee was read by the Clerk. The Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward moved, and Mr. Allen seconded, That the Hon. Sir W. J. Steward be Chairman of the Committee. On the question being put, it was resolved in the affirmative. The Hon. Sir W. J. Steward thanked the Committee for the honour conferred on him. The order of reference referring the Defence Bill to the Committee was read by the Clerk. Resolved, That clauses 1 to 8, inclusive, stand part of the Bill. Resolved, on the motion of the Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward, That clause 9be postponed for future consideration. Resolved, That clauses 10 and 11 as printed stand part of the Bill. Resolved, on the motion of the Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward, That clause 12 be postponed for future consideration. Resolved, That clauses 13 to 19, inclusive, as printed, stand part ot the Bill. Resolved, on the motion of the Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward, That clauses 20 to 28 be postponed lor future consideration. Resolved, That clauses 29 and 30 as printed stand part of the Bill.

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS.

Thursday, 9th December, 1909. The Committee met at 10.30 a.m., pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Allen, Mr. Clark, Mr. Fisher, Mr. Hanan, Mr. Jennings, Mr. Reed, Mr. Rhodes, Hon. Sir W. J. Steward, Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward. The order of reference setting up the Committee was read by the Clerk. The Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward moved, and Mr. Allen seconded, That the Hon. Sir W. J. Steward be Chairman of the Committee. On the question being put, it was resolved in the affirmative. The Hon. Sir W. J. Steward thanked the Committee for the honour conferred on him. The order of reference referring the Defence Bill to the Committee was read by the Clerk. Resolved, That clauses 1 to 8, inclusive, stand part of the Bill. Resolved, on the motion of the Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward, That clause 9 be postponed for future consideration. Resolved, That clauses 10 and 11 as printed stand part of the Bill. Resolved, on the motion of the Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward, That clause 12 be postponed for future consideration. Resolved, That clauses 13 to 19, inclusive, as printed, stand part of the Bill. Resolved, on the motion of the Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward, That clauses 20 to 28 be postponed for future consideration. Resolved, That clauses 29 and 30 as printed stand part of the Bill.

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