SOLDIERS ON THE LAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18457, 21 July 1923, Page 10

SOLDIERS ON THE LAND.

INQUIRY BOARDS' REPORTS.

CABINET CONSIDERATION.

EARLY ACTION INDICATED.

[BY. TELEQBAPH.-- SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON. Friday.

I "The reports of all the boards set up to consider the position of soldier settlers have now come to hand." the Prime Minister stated in the House of Representatives to-day. "They have been considered by the Lands Department and sent on to the Government;. I had the opportunity of looking through them this morning, and I want to express my appreciation of what I believe is the excellent work done by the hoards." Mr. Massey said that instead of asking the House to meet at 2.30 p.m. on Monday, he 1 would ask it to meet ait 7.30 p.m., so as to give Cabinet the opportunity of dealing'with the reports in the afternoon. He did not say that Cabinet would finish its deliberations then. Legislation to give effect to such proposals-as Cabinet agreed to would hav<> to be considered, and his was anxious it should bo brought down as soon as possible. "We cannot afford to lose ,-.ny time. Spring is almost upon us, and in justice to the soldiers we should let them' know the position at the earliest possible moment," said Mr. Massey. The Hon. D. Buddo (Kaiapoi): Will the reports be- circulated? Mr. Massey: I think so, but I cannot sn.y definitely until Cabinet has discussed the matter.

POLICE OFFENCES BILL.

UNLAWFUL USE OF CARS.

INCREASED PENALTIES.

[BY TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON. Friday. Some important changes in the Police Offences Amendment Bill have been made by the Statutes Revision Committee of the Legislative Council. The clause inserted in the Bill to deal with the unlawful use of motor-cars has been altered by way of. increasing th© fine from £20 to £50, and tho imprisonment term is' fixed at a maximum of three months. A new provision is that portion of the fine may bo paid over to the owner of tho car as compensation for damage to the machine. The provisions respecting Sunday trading and those respecting the leaving of excavations of public highways unguarded have been struck out.

< A new provision is that every person is liable to three months' imprisonment or a fine of £20 who, in incurring any debt or liability, obtains credit by means of any fraud to, an amount mot exceeding £50. 6 The British Nationality and Status of Aliens (in New Zealand) Bill has been reported from the Statutes Revision Committee with the addition of a new clause, the object of which is to . apply the measure to ; the Cook Islands and Samoa. PENSIONS NOT 'CUT DOWN. " SLANDER TO SUGGEST IT." [BY TELEGRAPH.SPECIAL aEPORTER-] ■ WELLINGTON. Friday, An emphatic denial was made in,.the Rouse of "Representatives of a suggestion that instructions had been "ssuel to the JL'cusioiib ijviitu to cut down pensions • to returned soldiers. "It 13 a 1 foul slander to spread a report of that sort," said Six E. Heaton Rhodes in denying the allegation. The Government issued no instructions to the board, and .never would. The board was a statutory, body, and took no instructions from the Minister. . Mr. J. O'Brien (Westland), who had. been speaking previously on the matter,' claimed to have been misrepresented. Quoting from his Hhnsard proof, ho said that his actual statement was that there was a growing feeling among returned men - that the Pensions Board ■ had received instructions for the curtailment of pensions, but that he did not believe it was well founded. The Minister was guilty of a "foul slander" 1 in putting words into his mouth that he had not uttered. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

SHOOTING CAPTIVE BIRDS. [by TELEGRAPH.SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON. Friday. At to-day's sitting of the Legislative Council the Hon. E. W. 'Alison was granted a week's leave of absence on account of illness, and Dr. A. K. Newman two weeks for the same reason.

The St. John's College Trust Bill was read a third time and passed. -The Justices of Peace Amendment Bill was received from the House of Representatives and read a first time.

The Hon. G. M. Thomson moved the second reading of the Captive Birds Shooting Prohibition Bill. He said the idea was to stop trap pigeon shooting, which he regarded as a debased sport. If the Bill passed, the law hero would bo brought into lino with that in England. The second reading was agreed to.