MINISTERIAL REPLIES

Evening Star, Issue 16992, 14 March 1919, Page 3

MINISTERIAL REPLIES

LAST SESSION’S QUESTIONS.

THE HOTOP CASE. “ lb is not intended to compensate Private H. H. -Thompson for the period of detention which be served. He was not ssm to gaol,” is tho printed answer, just circulated, given by Sir James Allen to a question asked in Parliament at tho end of last cession by Mr G. Witty—- “ Whether the Minister of Defence will ceo that Private Thompson who was sent to gaol for stating that Dr Hotop was a drunkard, receives compensation, seeing that it has been proved that Hotop was on habitual drunkard?'’ In reply to Mr W A. Veitch, Sir James Allen said, in effect, that Private Thompson bad made a specific statement of insobriety on August 8, 1917, against Dv Hotop, which was definitely proved to be fake. He was sentenced, not to imprisonment, but to detention for 112 days, and served his sentence. The medical authorities had assured tho Minister that Dr Hotop was not, during the period of his employment, guilty of intemperate habits, and that he did most excellent work in camp, being specially skilled as an operator and in tho treatment of cerebro-spinal meningitis. “ The mutter is under consideration,” was the reply given by the Minister to Mr J. Payne, who asked Sir James Allen whether be would place before Cabinet a recommendation that the particulars of the prosecution of 11. H Thompson be expunged from the military records, that tho same be gazetted, and that the Government compensate him by c substantial moneUuy ccrsidcvation for the expense and loss to which he lias been wrongfully subjected. wi*de range of subjects. Many other questions were asked by members during tho session to which answers had not bean given on prorogation day. Supplementary order papers have now been issued containing Ministerial replies to these questions. Replying to Mr U. Witty, who asked whether the Government, on behalf and at the request of local bodies, would try to purchase from the Imperial Government machinery required for road-making, such as traction engines, road rollers, and stonecrushers, the Prime Minister stated: " The Public Works Department is gradually extending its stock of plant suitable for road-making purposes as occasion requires.” The Prime Minister promised careful consideration during the recess to the question raised by Mr J. V. Brown of improving the accommodation for the crews on New Zealand shipping. To Mr Witty, who asked whether the names of persons who were proposed to Lave titular and. other distinctions conferred upon them were submitted to members of Cabinet before recommendations are made, the Prime Minister replied: " Every care is, no doubt, taken in selecting names of persons for honors and distinctions, but it is not for Cabinet to determine who shall be selected.” The Minister of Defence in forms Mr C. J. Talbot, who referred to complaints of shortage and poor quality of load on re turning transports, that tho Delence Department has been in communication with the Imperial authorities on this subject, and everything possible is being done. To Dr A. K. Newman, who asked whether tho Minister would lay on tho table a memorandum or document received from the Commission on military matters, additional to the report already published, or whether a part of the report, had been withheld, the Minister replies,: "The Commission withdrew a portion of the original report as being outside the order of reference.” A suggestion was made by Mr H. 15. Holland that in view of the abnormal increase in tho cost of living the Government schould increase the amounts payable to superannuated Civil Servants. The Minister of Internal Affairs replies: “ This matter has been fully considered, and it Ls regretted tho Government cannot increase the allowances payable under the various superannuation tund-s.'’ The Minister of Education stares, in reply to Mr G. Hunter, that the question of common class books in certain subjects to be used as text books in public schools throughout the Dominion will bo dealt with as soon as the conditions permit.