PARLIAMENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23341, 5 November 1937, Page 10

PARLIAMENT

YESTERDAY'S PROCEEDINGS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL <Peb United Press Association) WELLINGTON, Nov. 4. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. BILLS PASSED The Imprest Supply Bill (No. 2) was passed. The following local Bills were passed: Ngaruawahia Borough Council Empowering Bill, Auckland Harbour Board Loan and Empowering Bill, Motueka Borough Council Empowering Bill, and New Plymouth Borough Council Empowering Bill. The following private Bills were also passed:—Nelson Diocesan Trust 3oard Empowering Bill, Wellington Diocesan Board of Trustees Church of England Empowering Bill, Hamilton Parsonage Site Amendment Bill, and the Church of England Trusts Amendment Bill. ARMY BOARD BILL Moving the second reading of the Army Board Bill, the Leader of the Council (Mr M. Fagan) explained the measure, and said it was in a sense a validating measure because the Army Board was already in operation.

Mr F. Waite said the Bill was a valuable piece of machinery, but unless they had the men for the ranks it would be of little use. He made a strong appeal for recognition of the soldier. He did not object to the pacifists, he said, but to the apathists, and the people of New Zealand should realise that a defence force was necessary and that it was the duty of all young men to serve and of employers' to encourage them to do so. Better uniforms were needed, but he did not think the blue colour would help. What was wanted were better made garments. Mr V. Ward said they must either have compulsory training, voluntary training, or a regular army. The regular army would cost about four times as much as the volunteer system, so it was in the interests of all taxpayers to encourage the volunteer system. Mr D. Wilson said that while the Government was not militaristic in any way, it was determined to provide adequate defence. Mr E. R. Davis urged the appointment of a territorial officer to the Army Board. Mr J K. Archer said he had always advocated peace, but he hoped the Bill would be passed. Mr W. Perry stressed the need for men, and urged the leaders of the country to exhort young men to serve and others to support them instead of sneering at them. The Bill was put through all its stages and passed.