PARLIAMENT

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 March 1943, Page 4

PARLIAMENT

DEBATE CONTINUED. WELLINGTON, March 6. The Waiapu County Council (Tokomani Harbour) Empowering Amendment Bill (Mr. W. Sullivan) was read a first time and referred to the Local Bills Committee. The House then proceeded with the Ad-dress-in-Reply debate. The manpower problem . had not been bungled by the present Government, said Mr., Cotterill (Labour, Wanganui), who said it was difficult to have a long-range policy in this matter, because everything depended on the changing military situation. He stressed the value of up-to-date methods of military training in New Zealand, stating that recent exercises carried out with live shell practice had shown the high standard which had been reached. He agreed with previous speakers that saluting in streets should be abolished. It was necessary on the parade ground, but when officers and men were on leave, it would be an advantage to both to have it dispensed with. He also made a plea for the provision of special leave trains to enable soldiers to visit their homes. If the Railways Department could provide special trains for race crowds, surely it could give similar facilities for soldiers who wished to visit their homes. Mr. Lee Martin (Labour, Raglan) contended that criticism of the Internal Marketing Division was nothing more than a ramp, and was inspired by vested interests. All the muddle mentioned had not been caused by interference from the division, which was doing a wonderfully fine job. j , The debate was interrupted by the adjournment at 1 p.m., and the House rose until 2.30 p.m. on Monday.