PARLIAMENT.

Feilding Star, Volume XII, Issue 2972, 21 June 1916, Page 4

PARLIAMENT.

V I'IST Kill) AY'S L'JtOCI'IIfiMNUS

In the House, . Notice, was given, by Mr B. I.'loicher to ask tho Minister of Public 1 Health what- steps he intends lo lake iv connection with the intimidation practised by the British Medical Association against doctors who ret useto join it and obey iks dictators and also the refusal of doctors who belong to that, association to consult with medical men who are practising independently of it in view of the evidence which will he placed beforo the Minister? It is scandalous and criminal, said Mr. Fletcher, '" a note to the question, that, any body of men .should he allowed lo .refuse a consul 3 * (alien where human life i.s at, stake. Au Imprest- Supply Bill for .L'9olnstil) was brought down by Governors .Message. Sir .loscpb Ward said Ibo Hill merely made provision for ordinary departmental requirements, ami the" Bill «*as put through all stages. The Discharge d Soldiers' Settlement Bill wa.s put through the Committee stage. An amendment- was introduced by the Premier and adopted authorising an expenditure, up to ■t 100,000 per ann-urn instead of £'50,----001), to assist soldier settlers on the land by way of lhe purchase of stock and affecting improvements, and also prescribing that the following limitations of "area apply under the Act: Be vend Jive miles of the four chief centres first-class land "100 acres, sec-ond-class 2~>o, third-class 02") acres, or 02") acres of' two or more of such classes of land without exceeding the limit fixed for each class. The Minister may impose a 50-acre Limitation within hve miles of the four chief centres. . ,*. In the course of a questloiradilressed to the Defence Minister to-day on the stlbiecl ol' the food supplied nil Transport 19 while conveying to the front the men of the Eleventh Reinforcements. Mr. Poole ' read a letter which contained serious allegations against the qualify of the fooil anil also against the ollicer commanding the troops ou the vessel. The letter, which the member said was written by a man who was not personally concerned in the matter, stated that the food supplied lo the men was so scandalous that a "petition was drawn up and signed by 12.'! men out of a company of 109, and also by twelve ii.co.'s. The petition drew attention to the bad.- food., and expressed the hope that it would be improved and wa.s respectfully worded, but. the writer of the loiter alleged that the result was that the men were sevorely roprimanded, while the twelve n.co.'s signatures were paraded at headquarter.s and the men abused by the commanding ollicer. This officer, alleged the writer, called them "skulkers" and "not lit to light," and declared "they ought to be shot," "that the men's lives al the front Aye re worth no more than their equipment," and concluded with asserting that "if all men going to the front were like them it ivould be a good thing if a German subma- . rine torpedoed tlie ship." When" Mr. Poole had finished reading the letter and petition, the Prime Minister said: "1 am sorry the Minister of Defence is not present, as this is a very serious statement to make. I think it is ho important that a full inquiry should be made, and must be made,'and 1 shall advise, the Minister of Defence accordingly." (Hear, hear.) Mr. Myers explained to the. House that reports were furnished by every transport to the central authority, ■and all reports, .speaking literally, spoke very highly indeed of all the food supplied in the various traitsports. As a matter of fact,-it Avas the very best procurable in New Zealand.

By means of an urgent question to the .Minister of Labour, Mr. Field called attention to the publicly-announced threats of persons claiming to represent the flaxmill workers, .that a general strike will follow the passage of the Military Service Bill. Mr. Field asked what steps were to he taken to deal with these individuals, as -there was grave reason to fear that if their [ilans were carried out the majority of the flax-mill employees, whose loyalty was undoubted, would be drawn into industrial strife.

Mr. Massey': All I can say is the documnit has been referred lo the Crown Uiw Office.

A situation unique in Parliamentary history occurred when the 'War Budget came up for discussion. When the House met at 7.30 o'clock to commence ihe debate on the Budget, nobody suspected that the first stage would be over in a few seconds. The -passing of the first item on the Estimates took only 20 minutes, though it has often occupied three days; The most moderate estimate of the saving of Parliament's time is a fortnight. The position was not planned, it arose out of a. curious combination of circumstances.

When the Speaker took ,the chair, the question was "That -the House go into committee on the Estimates." Lie put thp question, called for the Ayes and Noes, and declared the molion carr'ed-—and the House went info committee. Laughter showed the relief of the House at a gigantic letoff. Curious eyes turned to Labour benches, but no Labour members were there! Mr McCombs, who was in the chamber when the question was put, got to hi.s seat a few seconds too late. Ti.,, fii- s t item was passed, and the House rose at 7.55 p.m.