PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue LXXIV, 27 October 1917, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

TEACHERS' EXEMPTION

(By Telegraph—Special to Star.)

WELLINGTON, Oct. 26. Mr Heaton Rhodes asked the Defence Minister to-day what would be the real effect of the clause inserted in the Expeditionary Forces Bill last night exempting all school teachers. T,he member desired to know whether it would apply to teachers already called up by ballot, whether they were or were not yet in camp, and to those row serving at the front. Sir J. Allen replied that as far as he could gather the amendment made was very wide-reaching; it would exempt teachers who had not been called up, and also every school teacher who becomes twenty years of age. "As far as I can gather," added the Minister, "although I am not quite* sure about this, it is possible the amendment may exempt all school teachers now serving in camp, and some also who have been tried by court-martial and are in gaol. Ido not think it will exempt school teachers already serving at the front."

Mr Jennings: How can it? You know military law. Sir J. Allen: Well, I am not sure of that yet. The clause is undoubtedly very far-reaching.

MINISTERS IN GAOL

Dr Newman enquired of the Defence Minister this afternoon .if, as a consequence of exemption by the House last night of all ministers of religion, he would give orders for the release of two or three clergymen belonging to the Testimony of the Church of Jesus cult who are now in prison for refusing to perform military service. Sir J. Allen replied :* The Bill is not passed yet, and I cannot say what will be the position when it is passed. It is, in any case, not for me to decide whether they come within the four corners of the Act or not. It will be for the Military Service Boards to decide.

THE MEAT EXPLOITERS. GOVERNMENT'S LEGISLATIVE POWERS.

In reply to Mr Payne, who asked the Premier to-day if the Government intended before the session closed to take legislative powers to deal with the meat business as suggested by the Meat Exports Committee, Mr Massey said he intended to bring the matter before Cabinet before the session closed. His own opinion for the moment was that for the time being the Government had all the powers they required to deal with the question under the legislation passed since the war broke out, and especially during the present session.