THE DEFENCE ACT.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 143574, 12 August 1911, Page 2

THE DEFENCE ACT.

THE PROVISIONAL REGULATIONS. FOR TOWN AND COUNTRY. I (By Our Parliamentary Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, August 11. In the House this afternoon Mr. Fowlds laid on the table provisional regulations under the Defence Act. Mr. James Allen asked why the regulations had not been submitted before. The Act provided that they should be laid On the table within fourteen days of the opening of Parliament. Mr. Fowlds: The House has not been sitting fourteen' days yet. Mr. Allen; Oh, yes, it has. You have broken the law. Mr. Allen also wished to know what the Minister meant by “provisional,” Was it proposed to alter there regulations, and, if so, when would the House get tne final regulations? Mr. Fowlds said these were the regulations adopted, and they were in force in the proper manner. The word “provisional”, was used because the regulations were in connection wish an entirely new system, and it might be necessary to revise them at an earlier date than tmdeiiOfdinary circumstances. As soon as necessity arose they could be revised.

Mr. Allen: Have they been printed and circulated?

Mr. Fowlds; They are printed and will be circulated to those concerned. They have been gazetted. Mr. Fisher: Will the House get an opportunity of discussing them? I am told, though 1 do not know myself, that there are some most objectionable clauses in them.

Mr. Fowlds; I don’t propose to set apart any special time. They can be discussed on the Financial Statement, and there will also be other opportunities during the session. Mr. Arnold: It will be necessary for members of the House to get a/copy of them if they are to be discussed.

Mr. Fowlds; I shall see that members get copies.

Mr. Buchanan: Do the regulations deal with training and parades in country districts?

Mr. Fowlds: They cover the whole range, town and country. As soon as difficulties arise the regulations can be revised. .

Mr. Massey hoped that the ActingMinister for Defence would reconsider his decision not to give the House a special opportunity tor discussing the regulations. They were of intense importance lo the whole country. the preselit the House had been-affiSply marking time, and an afternoon or a day might very well have been sot apart for the discussion.

Air. Fowlds said he resented stroifgly the statement that they had been wasting time in discussing so important a measure as the Town Planning Bill.— (Laughter.) That statement showed the estimation in which Mr. Massey and his friends held the Bill when they put it in their programme.—(Laughter.) They were now simply talking to the electorates—(Laughter.) It was the irregular discussion of the last two days on Mr. Herdman’s Bill that had prevented him from laying the regulations on the table before,—(Oh!) Mr. Herries; That is a reflection on the Sneaker—that an irregular discussion should have been permitted. Mr. Speaker agreed, and asked Mr. Fowlds to withdraw the words. Mr. Fowlds: I withdraw', and I will say it was, the unusual course adopted on the Bill.