POLITICAL NOTES

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 137, 6 December 1918, Page 6

POLITICAL NOTES

POINTS FROM PARLIAMENT A QUIET TABLING. It is well; known in polities that a Minister may be glad to take an opportunity to table as quietly, as possible a. report on which there is likely to bs controversy. In the House of Representatives yesterday, the report* of the inquiry into the treatment of conscientious objectors in the Wanganui Detention Barracks wag deposited by the Minister of Defence, without attracting some members' attention. Mr. G. Witty complained subsequently that the Minister had not properly indicated that he was tabling the report. Sir James Allen remarked that he had moved in ihe ordinary way. "I heard him,", cbmmented Mr. Isittj whose seat is nearly opnpsite the Minister's. . VI didn't," said 'another member, close to Mr. leitt. "You could hear the Minister smiling away down the street," concluded Mr. Witty. FORCE AND MOTION. "You can rely on this Government moving if you bring sufficient pressure to bear,'.' said the Hon. J. T. Paul in the Legislative Council yesterday."Like a Labour agitator," said Sir Francis Bell. ! ' . . . •■.'.■-, ' . "But an agitator always move* in the same direction," rejoined Mr. Paul. COMMANDEERING HOSPITALS. "Paraaiting," was Dr. Thacker'a' term in the "Souse yesterday for the Defence Department's commandeering of hospital wards and other institutions which had been established for other uses. "When — is the Minister going to restore the wards stolen from the aged people. of Wellington?" the member asked. Sir James Allen: The Department did not steal them. Mr. Malcolm (Chairman of Committees) checked the use of the Word "stealing," and Dr. Thacker substituted the term "commandeering. "■ He contended that the aged men and women, chronic invalids, who had been moved on from the Victoria Wards, Wellington, should be replaced in the institution specially built for them* Similar commandeering had occurred in Christchurch and probably all over the Dominion. , . CHARGES OF "INFLUENCE." Mr. Witty (Biccarton) aisseTted in the House yesterday, that some members of Parliament had wrongly used their influence in attempts to obtain exemptions from military service for certain men, and wealthy individuals liad used money for the same purpose. / Various members isterjected protests, and Mr. Witty replied that those whom the cap fitted Could wear it. .