PARLIAMENT

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 July 1943, Page 2

PARLIAMENT

MINISTERIAL REPLIES WELLINGTON, July 21. The House devoted the evening ses- | sion to consideration of printed Ministerial answers to questions, notice of which had been given by members earlier in the session. Replying to a question asked by Mr. Macfarlane (Government, Christchurch South) whether men retained at Maadi base camp who were graded permanently unfit for active service, but fit for base duties, might be returned to New Zealand from the Middle East, the Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser) said it was unlikely that any soldier below grade 1, whose health was being undermined, would be retained in the Middle East. He added, however, that inquiry would be made with a view to ascertaining whether there were any such cases. All personnel at base were periodically reviewed with a view to returning to New Zealand those who had experience in farming or in various essential trades, and a number of such men had already been returned. It has now been decided that any surplus earnings of soldiers employed on the waterfront over and above pay and allowances; and the cost oi maintenance of each soldier (assessed at £1 daily) be paid to patriotic funds. This reply was given by the Prime Minister to a question by Mr. Gordon (Opposition, Rangitikei), who pad asked what decision the War Cabinet had reached regarding the disposal of earnings, over Army rates of pay, oi members of the armed forces who had been employed on the waterfront. Some time ago the technical personnel and equipment of the National Broadcasting Service and the National Commercial Service were amalgamated, with a consequent release of technicians for war service, said the Prime Minister, replying to a question by Mr. Goosman (Opposition, Waikato) regarding the amalgamation of the two broadcasting services. Mr. Fraser added that arrangements for the amalgamation of the remaining sections of the two services were proceedinß. & n . Replying to a question regarding military service by men over 40, the Prime Minister said that married men in the 41-45 age group who were called in the nineteenth ballot would not be mobilised for full-time mihtcirv service. • q To another question Mr. Fraser said that provision would be made to ensure that military defaulters would not be entitled to vote at the forthcoming General Election. The House adjourned at 10 p.m. until 2.30 p.m. to-morrow for tuither consideration of answers to questions.