MILITARY- SERVICE BILL.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 155, 30 June 1916, Page 2

MILITARY- SERVICE BILL.

PROGRESS IN THE COUNCIL. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. The Legislative Council continued its ' consideration of the Military Service Bill in committee. Hon. A. T. Maginnity (Nelson) asked the Leader of the Council whether, in the opinion of the Government, the time has not arrived for the transfer to the National War Funds Council of all war funds for administration; whether in- ; formation respecting all such funds has ] been supplied to the Minister in terms i of the Act Whether the respective , funds have been audited, and, if so, - whether the Government will lay upon ; the table the reports of the auditors? j Sir Francis Bell replied' to the first \ clause, "No;".and added that over 300 ) societies . had supplied the,. information i required, about 100 have not; about 400 -i balance sheets to December 30, 1915, had i been received and would be laid before . Parliament. The Council resumed in committee con- i sidcration of the Military Service Bui. -, Sir Francis Bell moved the insertion - of a new clause providing for attestation ; of members of the Expeditionary Force. , It was explained that the clause was a machinery one. j The clause was added to the bflh ' A formal amendment was made in clause 18. ( Sir Francis Bell moved the second { reading of the Discharged Soldiers' Set- ' tlemcnt Amendment Bill. He briefly ex- ] plained the provisions of the bill. " Sir Walter Buchanan (Wellington) be- 1 lieved the hill would prove beneficial, but advised care in the selection of land. There should be more than three classes. He hoped soldiers would be given the best of the land. It might be necessary : for the Government to establish experimental farms, so that returned soldiers might gain a knowledge of farm work. ' The second reading was carried. The Council rose at 4.40 p.m.