SECOND DIVISION

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 September 1917, Page 3

SECOND DIVISION

TELEGRAMS

uoveknment's I'uoposal; round table conference With the muusju. Illy Dleolno Telejirapli—Special to "Star."J WELLINGTON, This Day. When the course ol business was outlined by thp Premier to the House, last night, an objection way raised by Mr. 1. M. Wiltord to the changes, which would deprive members of their opportunity of discussing the Second Division men's claims! that evening. If the Government would grant members, the round table conference they desired much time would be saved. The Premier then announced that a round table conference would take place at 7.30 on Tuesday evening. Mr. Wilford: It will 'take something of the form of a. secret session, though not exactly. The galleries will be cleared aaid reporters, not be present. No official report will be taken- I propose to ask Sir Frederick Lang, not us Speaker, but in a private capacity, to take the chair. The speakers, he added would bo limited to ten minutes. The Govern-. iiient wanted a full, free, and candid opinion on the proposals which the Defence Minister would submit. He hoped that the discussion would enable the Government to arrive at a proper understanding and that the Rill would go upon the Statu!e Rook all the more readily after the conference. (Hear, hear.)

Mr. Buddo asked if the Government would give members information about Hie methods in other countries. Sir James Allen replied that lie would give full details. Mr/Wilford: Will the Minister bring down the Rill to-morrow after noon, or will we hear the Governments proposals'? If it is a Bill, I know what that means. The Minister of Defence assured the House that the discussion would lie quite informal and as a result the Bill would be brought forward. (Hear, hoar.)