THE DEFENCE REGULATIONS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1204, 12 August 1911, Page 5

THE DEFENCE REGULATIONS.

INFORMATION ASKED FOE.' In the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon, the Hon. G. Fowlds asked leave to lay on' the table provisional regulations under the Defence Act. Mr. James Allen asked why the regulations had not been submitted before. Tho Act provided that they should be laid on the iablo within fourteen clays of the opening of Parliament. Mr. Fowlds: The Houso has not been sitting fourteen days yet. Mr. Allen: Oh, yes, it has. You have broken the law.' Mr. Allen also wished to know what the Minister meant by "provisional." Was it proposed to alter these regulations, and if so, when would the Houso get the final re.enlations? Mr. Fowlds said these were the regulations adopted, and they were in force in the proper manner. Tho word 'provisional" was used because tho regulations weTO in connection with an entirely now system, and it might be necessary to revise them at an earlier date than under ordinary circumstances. As soon as necessity arose they could be revised. Mr. Allen: Have they been printed and circulated? . Mr. Fowlds: They are printed, and will be circulated to those- concerr/xl. They havo been gazetted. Mr. Fisher: "Will tho House get an opportunity of discussing them?' I am told—though I do not know myself—that there are some most objectionable changes in them.

Mr. Fowlds: I not propose to set apart any special time. They can he discussed on the Financial Statement, and there will also ba other opportunities during the session. Mr. ■Arnold: It will bo necessary for member* of the House to tret a cony of them, if they aro to be discussed. Mr. Fowlds: I shall see- that members pet conirs. Mr. Buchanan: Do the regulations deal with' training nnd parades in country districts? ml \, , , Mr. F.owlds: They cover the whole mn"p—town e.nd country. As soon as difficulties arise, the regulations can ha Mr. Mo.ssev honed that the ActinjMinister for Defence would reconsider his decision net to give the House a special opportunity for discussing the regulations. Thev were of intense importance to the whole country. An afternoon or a day might very well havo been set apart for tlie discussion.