UNDER A BOARD OF FOUR

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 139, 9 December 1918, Page 4

UNDER A BOARD OF FOUR

CHANGED ATTITUDE OF SOME MEMBERS When the Repatriation Bill again came into Committee of tho House of Representatives on 4 Saturday, Sir. M'Combs said that the statement of Sir James Allen on retrospective allowances, that the matter would he referred to Cabinet, was not satisfactory, for Cabinet might give its answer a fortnight hence. The B'linister replied that Cabinet had iiad more urgent work to do, and therefore the matter had not jet bee.n. referred to Cabinet. "I \vi . not be driven, and the Government will not be driven," fie declared. Mr. M'Combs said that there was no more urgent work than the granting of justice to soldiers. Mr. W. Downie Stewart moved an .unendment to substitnte a single Minister for the proposed Ministerial Board. SrR JOSEPH WARD'S PLEA. Sir Joseph Ward said there ehould ba . suffic! sib number of Ministers oh the ''oard to enable the work to go on coniiimously without constant reference to O.ibinet'on Snancia.l and policy matters. If there was a single Minister there would be a frequent necessity to refer matters to Cabinet, and thus delays would occur. He believed that those who advocated tbe single-Minister system of control were mistaken. Much of the success of the administration \voidd depend on the Director of Repatriation, who would be associated with the board. The advocacy of a single Minister was against the national principle on which the Government had worked .hiring the war. He deprecated any attempt to "squeeze the Government" in a difficult time. No Government in ordinary, times, with any sense of propriety, would stay and allow its policy to be knocked out. Why should tha National Government be expected to stand that kind of treatment?

When Mr. M'Combs rose to speak various members interjected—"Vote, vote." Mr. M'Combs retorted that members (Reform and Liberal) had attended two caucuses and had made decisions behind closed doors. Mr. R. A. Wright : That is not so. Mr. Isitt remarked that the statement, of Mr. M'Combs was "a gross fabrication" and an "absolute misrepresentation." '■ Mr. M'Combs gave a reminder that members of all sides, when free to speak, condemned the scheme of a Ministerial Board. The Government was attempting now to dictate to members. The interests of soldiers were being sacrificed because of the petty jealousies in the National Government. It would be in the interests of the country when tho party coalition came to an end, and when a properly responsible Government was again in office. Mr. Massey said that the Prime Minister would be chairman of the board. In the" absence of the Prime Minister the senior Cabinet Minister would bo chairman. If Sir James Allen's other duties would permit him to be chairman, he would be pleased if his colleague would act. The chairman would be responsible to Cabinet and the public, and would be the medium of communication between ths Government, the board, and the public. The amendment was rejected' by 34 to 27. . ■ , ■ For the board (3{l) : Allen, Anstey, Buddo, Carroll, Colvin, Craigie, Dickie, Ell, Forbes, Fraser (Wakatipu), Gnthrie, Hanan, Herries, Hunter, Isitt, Jennings, M'Callum, Mac Donald, Mander, Massey, Myers, Newmaai (Rangitikei), , Pea.rce, Poland, Pomare, Poole, Russell, Sidcy, Smith (Waimarino), Smith (Taranaki), Talbot, Ward, Wilford, Witty. For the Single Minister (27): Anderson, Bollard, Dickson (Chalmers), Dickson (Parnell), Field (Nelson), Field (Ofcaki), Fraser (Wellington Central), Hairis, Holland, Hornsby, Hudson, Lee, Luke, M'Combs, Nosworthy, Parr, Reed, Rhodes (Thames), Scott, Statham, Stewart, Sykes, Veitcft, Walker, Wilkinson, Wright, Young. Mr. Sykes (Mastertqn) asked whether there would be provision for reciprocity between New Zealand and other parts of the Empire in regard to diecbargad soldiers. DISTRICT ORGANISATIONS. In reply to Mr. EH, the Minister said the right to make recommendations as to who should be officers would rest with the Director of Repatriation. He would be the best man available, and should have the right to choose his staff. Mr. Isitt atrggeeted that members of Parliament ehould be members ex-officio of the committees under the Bill. The Minister approved the participation of members, but said he could not put it in the Bill. He gave an assurance to Mr. Ell that he intended to put members of the Returned Soldiers' Associations on the district boards and on the local boards, if suitable men were Available. Mr. P. Prater (Wellington Central) moved as an amendment that an addition be made to Clause 10 (local boards and committees) that not leas than onefourth of the membership of local boards and committees should be representative* of the Returned Soldiers' Association, and not less than one-fourth representatives of the trade union organisation. Mr. EU said the trade union* in comparison with other organisations, such aft patriotic eocieties, had not the right to such special representation. The Minister had said already thai the trade unions and Workers Education Association -would have representatives.* Mr. M'Combs thought the Government should be only too glad that trade unionjs throughout the coiuntry were anxious to take part in this work. The Minister : I am very glad! to hew it. Mr. Downie Stewart pointed oat that if Parliament once specified representation for a particular body there would be demands from other organisations. In country districts representation of trade unions might not be so important as representation of fanners. The amendment was rejected.by 59 votes, to 7. *» LOANS FOR BUSINESS. It was urged by Mr. R. M'Callmn that the financial assistance to enable discharged soldiers to establish themselves in business should be increased from £900 to £500. This view was supported by Mr. T. W. Rhodes and Mr. Dickia. The Minister said that Cabinet, after careful consideration, had increased the amount from £250 to £300, which was £50 more than the Australian maximum, and should be ample for the great majority of cases. Mr. Ell drew attention to the difference between this proposal and the assistance to men on the land, £750. Mr. T. W. Rhodes urged that at least the limit should be increased where there was security. The Minister said lie wished to safeguard the position of the small man ; and it was necessary to go step by step till they knew whero they were. They could increase the amount later if necessary. Mr. M'Callum : It will be too late. Tho Minister: No, the majority of the men will not be back before Parliament meets again. This would inyolva | big amount and k big risk.. ■ I

Mr. Payne : The soldiers have risked their lives. The Minister said he wished to do his best for the returned soldiers, but he did not want to overburden the BUI. It would be better to try the £300 proposal for a few months than to begin with a larger amount. The £3(X) limit was earriecl 'without amendment. A new Biib-clause made tho loans applicable to soldiers' widows. Mr. Harris (Waitemata) asked whether the Minister would agree to the extension of the provisiono of the Bill to men who had been discharged honourably from amp before :12th November as well as to men who were in camp on that date. Mr, Fraser moved an amendment to give effect to Mr. Harris's suggestion. Th& amendment was lost by 34 to 22. The Bill was read a third time and passed. " j