THE HOUSE.

Northern Advocate, 21 July 1915, Page 2

THE HOUSE.

The House met at 2.30. FIRST READINGS. The Shops and Offices Amendment Bill (Mr Myers) was read a first , time. PENSIONS BILL. The Premier reported that the Secret Defence Committee had considered th e War Pensions Bill and made certain amendments. These principally consisted in raising pension for total disablement fr? _H| 25s to 35s per week and slightly |q creasing in all classes the amov__ J__H of the maximum average weekly/ - pension. Discussion followed the speakers all advocating a more generous pension. On the house resuming; in the evening the debate was continued on similar lines. Mr Allen showed that the pension as amended was greater than In I Britain, Canada or Australia. Mr Myers urged that the proposals went as far as prudence would suggest. Mr Hornsby moved an amendment that the Bill be referred back to the committer for more favourable consideration. This was ruled out as an incompetent amendment to a Governor's message. A lengthy debate followed. Sir Joseph Ward said members of the Secret Committee had arrived at the schedule of pensions after a minute investigation of an intricate matter. Mr Massey said the committee had approached the matter strictly from the non-party point of view and it was not advisable to create a burden for pensions which the people might not be able to carry. After further debate the . House went into committee at 1.30 a.m. to consider the schedules. Mr Allen agreed to bring down a new clause providing for a small amount in special cases. A new clause was added making special provisions to apply in the case of members of the forces officially reported as missing. The schedules were pased and the Bill as amended reported. The House adjourned at 2 a.m.