NEW ZEALAND'S PART.

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 April 1918, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND'S PART.

ADVANCING THE NEXT BALLOT DATE. [By Electric Telegraph—Special to "Star."l WELLINGTON, This Day. It is understood that the Government will communicate, its proposals regarding' the reinforcements to the caucus meetings of both parties. Nothing is yet known about the increased quota, but one definite proposal is to accelerate, the date of the next ballot for Class B Second Division men. This was fixed for the end of June, but may now take place at the beginning' of May. THE FOURTH BRIGADEAn early indication of one of the debatable points for the session was Mr Okey's question to the Minister of Defence: Is it a fact that the Fourth Brigade formed from reinforcements had not been disbanded, and whether it still remains in existence,? A MILITARY COMMUNICATION. Probably there is no precedent for the variation from usual formalities at the opening of Parliament, which occurred yesterday, whe.n the Speaker read a letter from the Commandant of the New Zealand Military Forces announcing that Mr P. C. Webb, member for Grey, had been sentenced to two years' hard labour for wilful disobedience of orders, the House, receiving the information without comment. -Despite Mr Webb's statement that the Government would have to give him leave to attend the session his place was vacant. A NEGLECTED COMMITTEE. A quiet titter of laughter ran around the House when Mr Poole rose to-day and gave notice to ask the Government what step* had been taken to carry out the recommendations of Hie Cost of Living Committee which reported to Parliament Inst session. Members evidently anticipate a Ministerial negative'.