DAY IN HOUSE

Waikato Times, Volume 130, Issue 21653, 13 February 1942, Page 4

DAY IN HOUSE

VALIDATING BILL OVERSEAS REPRESENTATIVES DEFAULTERS’ CAMP CONDITIONS ADJOURNMENT TAKEN (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Thursday The Overseas Representatives Bill, which was introduced, put through all stages and passed by the House of Representatives tonight, gives authority for the appointment of members of the New Zealand Parliament as representatives of New Zealand overseas. Urgency was taken for the bill. No person shall cease to be a member or be disqualified from -appointment or election to the Legislative Council or the House of Representatives by reason of his appointment as an overseas representative. The name of an overseas representative is not to be removed from the electoral roll in accordance with the Electoral Act because of his absence from New Zealand for more than one year.

The operation of the bill is to be made retrospective to the beginning of the present year.

Approval of tne bill was expressed by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr S. G. Holland.

“An opportunity for a full-dress debate on the question of overseas representation of the Dominion can very well be provided at a later stage in the session,” said the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, in reply to Mr Holland.

The possibility of a New Zealand representative being appointed to Canberra was mentioned by the Prime Minister. This representative might not necessarily be a member of the House or of the Cabinet. Complete representation of New Zealand in London was also under consideration by the Government. Holland Memorandum Having extended over three days, the discussion in secret on the memorandum prepared by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr S. G. Holland, was concluded at 4.35 p.m. The House then adjourned until the evening. “Tho House met in secret session to discuss the Holland memorandum,” stated a report by the Speaker, the Hon. W. E. Barnard. “The Leader of the Opposition opened the discussion and a debate followed in which 21 members took. part. Mr Holland then replied and the debate was wound up by the Prime Minister.” Miscellaneous business was transacted by the House tonight and after sitting for an hour and a-half an adjournment was taken until March 19, with the usual stipulation that members could be called together sooner if necessary. The House rose at 9.3 p.m. Treatment of Defaulters Replying to a series of questions on the treatment of defaulters asked by Mr F. W. Doidge (Oposition— Tauranga), the Minister of National Service, the Hon. R. Semple, denied that military defaulters at the Strathmore camp, near Rotorua, lived under better conditions than troops and territorials. He said it was not the Government’s policy that the standard of living in defaulters’ camps should be higher than for military camps. “That .is not in accordance with the facts,” said Mr Semple, in replying to a statement that it was credibly reported that each defaulter had a separate hut, match-lined, in which to * live. Mr Doidge asked whether sheets and pyjamas were provided for defaulters while men in the Army had to provide their own pyjamas and never saw a sheet. Mr Semple replied that it was proposed to provide pyjamas and unbleached calico sheets to the same extent as were provided in prisons.

“They are provided with grey clothing similar to that on issue in the Borstal institutions,” said the Minister. “As in prisons, they may wear their civilian clothes on Sundays, but so far no defaulter has availed himself of this privilege.” Average Daily Food Cost Mr Doidge further asked if the daily per capita allowance for food for defaulters was higher than that for territorials . “The present average cost is Is lid a head a day, in spite of the disadvantages of isolation and buying in restricted markets,” replied Mr Semple. He added that as the vegetable garden and farm production increased the cost would continue to decrease. Replying to a question whether a chef earning £8 a week was supervising the cooking, Mr Semple replied that the remuneration of the first cook was approximately £6 a week. He said the statement that irrespective of price there was always fruit for defaulters was incorrect. The Minister said all work was compulsory for six days in the week and was being done satisfactorily. On the recommendation of the Health Department, a civilian nurse and an assistant were included in the staff camp. That was necessary in view of the distance from medical aid. Mr Semple said 14 men were building the camp at a cost pounds and pounds cheaper than by private contractors. It was proposed to train them to cook food.