GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17483, 27 November 1918, Page 6

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ■ The Council met at 2.30 p.m.

ADDRESS-IN-REPLY. rho Hon. Mr EARNSHAW resumed the debate on the Address-in-Reply. Ho urged that the- time was opportune fox the leaders of the old parties to como together and form .one united party and meet tho I s *" , ? arisuig from the war. If the Prime funster would not give tho lead someone SnevS "* ™> * ta The Hon. Mr TUKINO suggested that the New Zealand peace delegation should include a representative of the Maori race is'- SP ?' . - So or tho "'tresis of the Pacific The Council adjourned at 4.30 pjn. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES (Pep. United Press Association.) rru November 26. lne House met at 11 o'clock. LABOUR PARTY PETITION Mr M'COMBS presented petitions" from tho Labour Party asking for a referendum on the bquor question, also for a general election early in {he new year. ° CRIMES BILL. The MINISTER OF JUSTICE gnro notice of his intention to introduce the Orimos Amendment Bill. DEMOBILISATION OF TROOPS. l?Fwv n fnv ? r3 Wilkinson, the DEFEisCJj, MINISTER said the demobilisation of the men from Trentham, and l'eathcrston Camps had been somewhat delayed by the influenza epidemic and the disorganisation of the ferry and railway 10 ™* m u Spit ? of theso difficulties some 5000 men have been demobilised from both camps to 3500 of which wero from Featherston. The men are being released (1) according to the need for their services, (2) the length of service. INSPECTION OF RETURNED m SOLDIERS. The DEFENCE MINISTER, replying to J $°u •" les, sald hc ha . d no iateVtio? of establishing a consumption sanatorium at Devonport It was proposed to use the Narrow Neck Camp for tho inspection of returning men in order to determine whether they were suffering from tubercular trouble. There were 2000 men on the water, KfvSi UCXt mmth ho expected that about bUOU men would be returning home. SOLDIERS' GRAVES. T Jr£ p i yin S, tc> Mr m > thc PRBIB MIN". lbrER said Cabinet had decided that the country would provide a headstone for every New Zealand soldier who died at home or abroad. .^^

SOLDIERS' SETTLEMENTS . I}' 6 Hon. Mr GUTHRIE laid on the table a return showing the progress of soldiers settlements in ISI7 and 1918 This resulted in a lengthy discussion, during winch the members taking part made numerous suggestions as to how returned soldiers .might, be assisted. The MINISTER, in his reply, said that much of the criticism of this department arose ont of ignorance of what the Government was doing to assist returned soldiers He admitted that something might be done to ass!st soMiers to secure homes in tho towns as well as homes in the country, but the greatest care was required in administering this department; otherwise serious losses could easily be made. He reoosnised that the men who came- back in the early stages of the war were probably least able to stand the strain of war, and ho recognised the lack of wisdom in placing the men least physically fit on the poorest land Though he had been severely criticised for not doing so, he intended to adhere to his p_olicv of refusing to put men on land which would only result in breakine their hearts When the Main Body came back and the stronger men returned there would be a better opportunity of settling , Jf^™\'i n -i s - Up to . the 'ip*®* i.1,609,CC0 had been spent in purchasing land for soldiers' settlements.

REFORMATORY INSTITUTIONS. The Reformatory Institutions Bill was introduced by Governor's Message, end was read a first time. MILITARY DECORATIONS. The House then went into committee on the Military Decorations and Distinctive Badges Bill (Hon. Sir James Allen), which, was passed through the committee stage without amendments, and read a third time. WAR LEGISLATION BILL.

The House then went into committee on tlio War Loo-islation Bill

Mr MASSEY indicated that he "intended to movo an amendment excluding the loyal New Zealand-born sons of naturalised Germans from the measure, and thus overcome the objection that such, sons would not ba able to hold land in the dominion Mr M'COMBS protested against the petty nature of this land of legislation, which -was not calculated to help to maintain permanent peace with Germany. £j e took exception to the prejudicial treatment of German women who -were married to British subjects, which, he believed, was directly against the policy of the Imperial Government.

Clause 1 was passed. WORK OF THE SESSION.

In the evening Sir JOSEPH WARD proceeded to deliver the Budget, the reading of which was concluded amidst applause.

On a motion to adjourn, Dr asked the Prime Minister to make a statement as to the business to bo done and ihe probable length of the session.

Mr MASSEY repUed that it' was impossible to say how long the session would last, bit it was necessary to make suitable arrangements to represent the dominion at the Peace Conference, concerning which, ho hoped to make a statement on~ Thursday. There would bo the Finance Bill, to e ive effect to the proposals in the Budget, also Liquor. Hydro-Electric, and War Legislation Bills, a repatriation, scheme, which was probtbly the most important of all Parliament's work, the Public Works Statement and Estimates, and the " Washingup" Bill. Members: What about the cost of Ev» ins? Mr MASSEY: There will be legislation dealing with the higher cost of living now that the war is over. The House then rose, till 11.30 a.m. tomorrow, when Goremirferrt business will take precedence.