THE COLONIST. WEDNESDAY, JULY 21, 1915. SUMMARY NOTES.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13825, 21 July 1915, Page 4

THE COLONIST. WEDNESDAY, JULY 21, 1915. SUMMARY NOTES.

Parliament and the war.

Tlie first session of the nineteenth Parliament of New Zealand was opened by Commission on June 24th, and the Governor's Speech was read on the following day. The Speech dealt almost exclusively with matters out of the war, and expressed the view of the Government that at a time when all were united in a determination to prosecute the war until an honourable peace was arrived' at, no contentious legislation should be introduced. Parliament would therefore be called upon to deal only with legislation rendered necessary by the war, and other business of an urgent character. Prior to the delivery of^the Speech from the Throne it devolved upon the House of Representatives to elect a Speaker, and the Hon. F>. W- Lang, who presided over the previous Parliament, was chosen without opposition. 'Sir Charles Bowen having intimated his intention of retiring from the Speakership of the Legislative Council, the members of that Chamber had to make a similar appointment, and their choice fell upon the Hon. C. J. Johnston. War emergency legislation has so far engrossed the attention of Parliament, the measure of chief importance being the War Pensions Bill, which provides on generous litres for the dependents* of New Zealand soldiers who lose their lives during the war, and for wounded "soldiers and, their dependents. The Bill has been under reconsideration by the Defence Committee with a view to the provision of more liberal allowances in certain cases, in accordance with a wish expressed by the House. The constitution of a Secret Defence Committee to deal with matters relating to the war, and entering very fully into the confidence of the Government, was hailed as a long step towards the disappearance of party divisions during the crisis in- Imperial affairs. :

A National Ministry. A further step towards that goal was | taken by the Prime Minister under somewhat dramatic circumstances a few days after the commencement cf the session. The fusion of parties at Home for the purpose of conducting the war with the full energy of the country gave a lead to the discussion of a similar step in the Dominions, and a number of prominent politicians in New Zealand expressed themselves favour-

ably towards such a proposal. The political conditions in the present Parliament are peculiar, the Government holding office on a bare majority. The Government had given no Indication, that it entertained the idea of sharing its responsibility with the Opposition, and-Mr. Massey's intimation in the ■House that 'he was prepared to discuss with the Leader of the Opposition "any reasonable proposal" to establish a National Cabinet, was therefor© unexpected. Negotiations followed the Prime

Minister's invitation, but an agreement did .not result, £he three. seats in the Cabinet which the Government considered a reasonable concession to the Opposition not appealing to that party. The discussion between the leaders is being continued, with what prospect of a successful issue is not known.

Trentham Camp. A most unfortunate condition of affairs was revealed at the Trentham military camp, and has led to the camp being temporarily abandoned. An epidemic of measles and influenza set in, and aided by untoward conditions created by prolonged wet weather, it assumed alarming proportions, a number of deaths occurring. Tliq hospital and medical arrangements proved quite incapable of dealing with the emergency, and complaints of a very grave state of inefficiency were , f »«daily published, and created much public concern. The medical service was hastily reorganised and rendered more efficient, and the allegations referred to, and the general administration of the camp, are now being investigated by a Royal Commission. Concurrently with tho measles and influenza epidemic another malady appeared. which*for a while baffled the medical officers, but which the bacteriologists have definitely diagnosed as cerebro-spinal meningitis. This discovery led to a decision to abandon the camp for the present, and most of the troops were speedily removed to threetemporary camps where their training is preceeding.

The Sick and Wounded. The hospital ship Willochra brought'j the first batch of. sick and wounded soldiers from the Dardanelles back to the Dominion, several Nelson mea .being amongst the number, and they were tendered a.public reception at Wellington. The hospital ship Maheno, ,the | gift of the Dominion, and equipped by public subscription under the leadership of His Excellency the Governor,! has sailed on her mission to the theatre of war in which our troops are engaged. The local Sick and Wounded Soldiers and their Dependents Fund is rapidly growing, and various projects to augment it are in view. Chief of these is a gala to be held in the city on August J 2nd which promises to be the most successful undertaking of the kind yet held, and from which it is confidently expected that a large sum will be derived. A produce fair is also to be held next Saturday, for which contributions are coming forward very freely from all parts of the district. The country centras are also actively engaged in various projects for the benefit of the I fund.

The Maitai Valley. The decision of the City Council to take a poll of the ratepayers on the | proposal to acquire for public purposes certain small areas on the banks of the Maitai, as a preliminary to the reinstitution of proceedings under the Public Works Act 3 was given effect on Wednesday last, when the ratepayers gave a very decided expression of their wishes. The three issues submitted were carried by an overwhelming majority. The Council is now taking steps to give effect to the decision, and it is hoped that within a short space of time the transaction will be completed.