DEFENCE MATTERS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9716, 19 July 1917, Page 7

DEFENCE MATTERS

THE TERM OF ENLISTMENT DURATION OF WAR AND SIX MONTHS THEREAFTER. Some members of the Expeditionary Force, stated Mr R- McCallum (Wairau), in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon, were under the impression that they were engaged for the term of three years; and, as that terra would shortly expire, they weio anxious to know what the position was. Was tho term for , which the forces were engaged for three years only, or for the duration of the war f Sir Janies Allen replied that, according to tho Act, the term of enlistment was for the duration of the present war with Germany and sis months thereafter, or such other period- as the Govcrnor-in-Counoil thought fit. It might be necessary to extend the period of six months after the war, as there might be some men who could not get hack to New Zealand within that period. “A MISUNDERSTANDING.” Replying in the House yesterday to questions put in the course of debate the other day by Mr A. H. Hindmarsh, M.P., Sir James Allen ((Minister tor Defence) said that in regard to the case of Sergeant Durkin, ho thought the hon. member had not treated him quite fairly. Some four or five days before Mr Hindmarsh referred to the matter in the House he had informed him that Sergeant Durkin was to he paid in full right up to the date of nis discharge, June 29th. Sergeant Durkin had. expressed himself as quite satisfied with his treatment. He was not paid in full because of an allotment to his wife at Home, hut the department had cabled Home in regard to tho point, and when the reply was received the matter would be adjusted. Mr Hindmarsh should have known that when he asked tho question, as he had read the memorandum on the point in the Minister’s presence. With regard to the soldier Ooad, about whose alleged tardy admission to hospital the hon. member had complained, the facts wore that Ooad was an outpatient at the hospital, and when he first applied to become an in-patient all the beds were full, and a number of seriously wounded soldiers, recently returned by a hospital ship, were awaiting operations. But as soon as possible Goad was admitted to the hospital.

Rising to make a personal explanation, Mr Hindmarsh said that he had not reflected upon tho Minister at all. Ho had purposely stated that ho did not do so; and, on the contrary, had thanked the Minister for his courtesy and kindness. Ho had reflected, however, upon certain officers, and had said that they ought to bo punished. He said so now. As to Sergeant Durkin, there had been p, misunderstanding between the, Minister and himself. Ho had lot road the memorandum referred to. (Laughter.) Tho Minister had handed it to him; but, as at tho same time he asked-for certain further particulars, ho had not understood that tho matter wps settled as the Minister now stated.

AN INATTENTIVE MINISTER. Speaking on a question asked by him regarding widowed mothers’ allowances, Mr J. V. Brown, member for Napier, said it was unfair that the fact that a widowed mother received an old age pension debari'ed her from receiving any further pension. Sir James Allen was otherwise engaged while these remarks were being made. Mr Brown drew the Speaker’s attention to this, and the House waited while the Defence Minister finished his .conversation. “1/ would like the Minister to pay some attention to what I am saying,” said Mr Brown. “It is not the first occasion that he has treated me like this. I should hope that he would pay sufficient attention. I have a right to receive , attention.” Sir James (graciously): “I am pleased te give it to you.” Mr Brown: “I am losing my time allowance now.” (Laughter.) Continuing. Mr Brown said he was sure that tho people would back up the Government in giving better pensions to widowed mothers. The unauthorised expenditure last year was larger than any for a long time. OoUld not some money be taken from this? It seemed cruel that the female dependents of soldiers were treated as they were. Ninety-eight per cent, of the widowed mothers were people in poor circumstances. Sir James Allen said the pension allowed to the widows was a liberal one. The allowance could he augmented by allotments from, a son’s pay. "UNDER CONSIDERATION.'’ “I am quite dissatisfied with the answer given hy the Defence Minister in a reply to my question about crippled soldiers,” said Mr T. M. VValford. He wished to put on record that as fai back as November, 1916, ho had written to Sir James Allen on the same matter, and now he had received the reply that “the matter was under consideration.” The Government should place apart £IOO,OOO for soldiers in the four centres. The men must bo cared for, and the Government’s duty lay in this direction. Sir James Allen: “And did you get a reply to the letter you wrote in November last?” Mr Wilford: “Oh, yes, I got a reply-” Sir James: “Oh.” Mr Wilford : “The hon- Minister i« always courteous enough to reply. The reply was that the matter was under consideration.” (Laughter.) Mr Wilford earnestly appealed to the Minister to give the improvements he asked for. Later the Minister said he recognised the responsibility of the Government in this matter. Early in the war the matter had been inquired to. At the present moment the Government was not in a position to take definite action. SECOND DIVISION MEN Mr W. H. Field (Otak'i) asked for the examination as soon as possible of all members of the Swond Division, so that they might be in a position te wind up their affairs. “The Defence Minister should be master of the situation,” said Mr Field, “and not let his officers be masters of him.” The Minister said that as far as possible the Government would comply with tho requests of the Second Division men. BURIALS OF DISCHARGED SOLDIERS. “The matter is under consideration at ‘--he present time, and individual cases have been provided for,” said

Sir James Allen, replying to a question given notice of by Mr C. H. Poole (Auckland West), as to whether the Government was prepared to accept the responsibility for the burial of .soldiers who died shortly after their discharge from the Expeditionary Force. Mr Poofo said that the reply was satisfactory so far as it went, hut lie hoped that'the Minister would accept responsibility for providing for all such cases. He trusted that the Minister would take the matter in hand and. -complete the work. Sir James Allen said ho recognised that something would have to ho done to provide for such cases, but it would lie necessary to place some limit of time upon it. Tho difficulty was that the department had had hills for burial expenses scut in from various parts of the. Dominion, and the diversity in the charges would astonish the House. The department were asking for contract prices for burials in the principal centres, and when those were received tho matter would be decided.