MILITIA SERVICE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 42, 19 February 1943, Page 3

MILITIA SERVICE

Bill To Limit Areas In Pacific

Passed By Senate

SUBSEQUENT ACTION TAKEN Rec. noon. CANBERRA, this day. The Government's Militia Bill, limiting areas of service in the Southwest Pacific, was passed through all stages in the Senate yesterday. Senator McLeay's amendment to extend the area of service was lost when Senator Crawford crossed the floor of the House to vote with the Government, making .the voting 17 all. Under the Senate rules an amendI ment is lost when the voting is equal. Senator Spicer moved an amendment providing for the inclusion of New Zealand in the area of service. This also was defeated, Senator Crawford again siding with the Government and making the voting 17 all. The Senate has carried a bill amending the National Security Act by deleting the prohibition against using the militia for overseas service. Senator Crawford, who voted with the Government to secure the passage of the Militia Bill, was absent from the voting on the National Security Amending Bill. Senator McLeay, who introduced the measure, said the onus now was on the Government and the House of Representatives to accept this amending bill which would convince the Allies that Australia was anxious to play her part in all-in warfare. His bill, as passed by the Senate, would give the Government power to send the militia wherever they were required at any time. The House of Representatives Opposition's attitude towards this new bill will not be defined until next Wednesday. J|jj(|H