MILITARY SERVICE BILL.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15603, 30 May 1916, Page 6

MILITARY SERVICE BILL.

SPECULATION FROM THE

LOBBIES.

THE EXEMPTION QUESTION.

(srEci.u, to "the nifss.") WELLINGTON, May 29. Tho Military Service Bill is expected to come up for its second reading in the House of Representatives to-morrow or on Wednesday.

Whilst it is not anticipated that tho progress of the measure will bo easy or rapid, it is generally regarded as certain that its passage will never bo in any doubt. Four at legist, and possibly iive, Labour members will opposo tho Bill. This ha? been regarded from the first as a foregone conclusion, and there are others —possibly from six to a dozen —whose attitude may be regarded as dubious at present. Those who oppose the Bill may adopt any of several lines of attack. They may question the necessity for the Bill, and advocate the granting of more liberal separation allowances l'or the families of married men : indeed, this question is certain to be raised by many who aro anxious to see the Bill pass.

Questions are sure to bo asked, also, about exemption. The Bill as it stands leaves exemptions to bo dealt with by a tribunal or tribunals to be appointed. The administration of the whole exemptions section of the Act will bo left to the -Minister of 'Munitions (the Hon. A. 31. Myers). These Boards will have power to giant to certain men or classes of men, total exemption, or exemption for a period only. Apparently, .however, tiic Government does not at present contemplate tho total exemption of any industry. Not even raiiwaymen are released from the obligation to servo. The taking of all single railway men would, it is understood, necessitate the curtailment of the train services .and railway facilities generally, but it is not impossible that tnis is tine inconvenience the people who stay at home will bo asked to submit to.

In some other departments of the Public Service organisation is in hand, or completed, to provide for the release of large numbers of men. A considerable number of men may go from the post and telegraph service. In England, it is pointed out, there are women letter carriers, and places which, before the war, had as many as six deliveries of letters in a day, now have only one. In Wellington girls are already learning to operate a telegraph, instrument. The house will also want to know about exemptions, within limits, for men in the principal producing industries. However, the Bill defines pretty clearly the opinion of the Government on all these questions, viz., that the first and greatest need of the day is lighting men.

A Labour member, on being questioned to-day regarding the attitude of his party towards the Bill, said that most of tliem would oppose it. Their contention ig that what is required is not a compulsory service measure, but increased separation allowances for the wives and children of married soldiers, and that if this is granted there will be no need to apply conscription. Theso members contend that until adequate separation allowances are granted, the voluntary system canpot be said to have had a fair trial. A great deal of the discussion on the Bill will bo centred upon this aspect of tho question, and it is stated to be likely that the members who hold the view indicated will be supported in their demand for greater separation allowances by several memwho are firm supporters of the Bill.