THAT GRATUITY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12749, 19 September 1919, Page 3

THAT GRATUITY.

MEMBERS INQUISITIVE, STATEMENT TO-DAY. [From Our Corrvppoxukxt.] TV ELLINGTON, September 18. The Hou G-,W. Bussell asked the Minister of Defence in the House to-day whether in introducing his scheme of gratuities to soldiers he proposed bo do so m the form of a. statement or Bill, and if the House would he given fad lilies for discussing them. Sir James Allen : I. propose to introduce the scheme some time to-morrow in the. shape of a paper, together with application tone and all papers attaching to the matter, and the House will then have full material before it for discussing t he subject. Sir Joseph Ward suggested that the discussion should be postponed in-order to enable members to digest the proposals. Mr Russell wished to know if the Government proposed to ask the House to approve its gratuities scheme. Hecontended that there wore many details connected with the matter, and members would not be in a position to accept responsibility unless all the details were properly submitted in the shape of a Bill. Sir James Allen: If I introduced a Bill it would be impossible to provide all the conditions which will be necessary. Sir Joseph Ward: Suppose the Housewants to oomo to a decision on the matter, bow does the Minister expect us. to understand the proposals unless wo have them before discussing them? Mr Massey: The Government has no intention to take advantage of members regarding these proposals. They are very simple, and I am confident members will be perfectly satisfied witli them. There has been quite sufficient delay already, and I think the matter should not be held back any longerThe Hon D. Bndclo desired to know if the House would have any power to alter the proposals. The Prime Minister suggested that the member should wait until he saw the proposals. Mr Anderson expressed the opinion that a special committee of the House should bo appointed to go into the whole question of gratuities. Mr Massey: What the hon member suggests would mean further delay. I think you will find when the paper comes down that no further delav will be necessary. Tim Government*must take the responsibility in a question like this, [Per Press Association.] STRATFORD. September 18. The local Returned Soldiers’ Association has strongly protested against the unreasonable demands of the recent deputation in the matter of gratuities, and_ also deprecates the unseemlv behaviour of the Wellington branch ot the Returned Soldiers’ Association with regard thereto. The attitude of that body towards the Wellington Press is considered unjustifiable.