POLITICAL

Tuapeka Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 5970, 17 August 1912, Page 3

POLITICAL

Tho Financial Debate is proceeding in tho House. THE DEFENCE FORCES. Mr Isitt asked the Minister of Defence if he would direct that the prosecution, of for refusing to serve should cense until the exact nature of the penalty to be asked for had been determined. Thy Minister o,i Defence said he had no intention of relieving anyone from tho natural penally of breaking! tho law. The new form of penalty would bo military detention instead, of imprisonment, and the Bill dealing with tho subject would be circulated at as early a date as possible. NUMBER OF RACING DAYS. Petitions are still flowing in from branches of the New Zealand Sports Protection League, which desire an increase in the number ot riiciio ■ and the publication of dividends after the running of a race. Petitions were presented to the House to-dav from the following branches : (Ireymouth (1500 members), Kanuigahake North (150). The Palmerston. petition asks only for an increased number of racing days to be distributed among, racing, hunt, and trotting clubs, and makes no mention of the publication ot dividends.