DEFENCE COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF THE). (Mr. POTTER, Chairman.)

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1925 Session I, I-12

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1925. NEW ZEALAND.

DEFENCE COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF THE). (Mr. POTTER, Chairman.)

Presented to the House of Representatives, and ordered to be printed.

ORDERS OF REFERENCE. Extracts from the Journals of the House of Representatives. Thursday, the 16th Day of July, 1925. Ordered, " That a Select Committee be appointed, consisting of ten members, to deal with all matters in connection with defence ; with power to call for persons, papers, and records ; three to be a quorum : the Committee to consist of Mr. Burnett, Mr. de la Perrelle, Mr. Glenn, Mr. Hudson, Mr. Lee, Mr. Munro, Mr. Potter, Mr. Ransom, Mr. J. C. Rolleston, and the mover." —(Hon. Sir R. H. Rhodes.) Wednesday, the 9th Day of September, 1925. Ordered, " That the petition of E. Heke and others be referred direct to the Defence Committee."—(Hon. Sir C. J. Pake.) Thursday, the 10th Day oe September, 1925. Ordered, " That the petition of W. L. Panther and others be referred direct to the Defence Committee."— (Mr. Parry.) Ordered, " That the petition of A. E. Burton be referred direct to the Defence Committee." —(Mr. Parry, for Mr. Lee.) Thuesday, the 17th Day oe September, 1925. Ordered, " That the petition of J. D. Perry be referred back to the Defence Committee for further consideration."— (Mr. Sullivan.) Tuesday, the 22nd Day or September, 1925. Ordered, " That the petition of J. E. Lea be referred direct to the Defence Committee."—(Mr. de la Perrelle.) Friday, the 25th Day of September, 1925. Ordered, " That the petition of Isabella Marie Nelson be referred direct to the Defence Committee."—(Mr. Youno.) Tuesday, the 29th Day of September, 1925. Ordered, " That leave be granted the Defence Committee to sit this day during the sitting of the House." — (Mr. Potter.)

INDEX.

No. Petitioner, &c. Page. No. Petitioner, &c. ; Page. 258 Briekell, R. B. .. .. .. 4 261 Nelson, Isabella Marie .. .. 4 230 Burton, Arthur Ernest .. .. 3 229 Panther, W. L., and 16 others .. 4 88 Clancey, John .. .. .. 3 15 Peacock, Myrtle Evelyn .. 2 169 Cleary, Martin Joseph .. .. 3 8 Perry, John David (first report) .. 3 29 Cox, Wilfred P. .. .. 2 8 Perry, John David (second report) .. 3 56 Davies, William Bolland .. .. 3 155 Shortal, John .. .. .. 3 32 Smailes, George Wells .. .. 2 Final Report .. .. .. 4 .. Special report re late Major-General 4 C. W. Melvill 227 Heke, E., and 86 others .. .. 4 .. Special report re Minister .. .. 4 113 Holmden, Trevor Noel .. .. 2 .. Special report re Chairman .. .. 4 Special report re Clerk .. .. 4 122 Ingley, Joseph .. .. .. j 3 38 Stevens, Zillah .. .. .. 2 134 Johnston, George Forbes .. .. 3 127 Thompson, William Thomas .. .. 2 165 Tovey, Sydney .. .. .. 2 14 Kienle, Christian. .. .. .. 2 139 Walls, Edward .. .. .. 2 254 Lea, J. E. .. .. .. .. 4 39 Wellbourn, Eva Laura .. .. 3 26 Wilson, Norman Edwin .. .. I 2 237 Martin, Mary .. .. 4 Melvill, Major-General, special report re , 4 202 Zenith Artificial Appliances (Limited).. 3 the late

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REPORTS. No. 127. —Petition of William Thomas Thompson, of Heathcote, Christchurch. Praying that he should be given a military pension commensurate with his present incapacity, which is due to wounds received in the recent war. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 15th September, 1925.

No. 32. —Petition of George Wells Smailes, of St. Helier's Bay, Auckland. Praying for a compassionate allowance for disabilities incurred while on active service with the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make on this petition. 15th September, 1925.

No. 29.—Petition of Wilfred F. Cox, of Namata Road, Onehunga. Praying for a compassionate allowance as recompense for a permanent disability incurred while on active service with the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make on this petition. 15th September, 1925.

No. 15.-— Petition of Myrtle Evelyn Peacock, of Rotorua. Praying for a compassionate allowance in recognition of the services of her deceased husband while he was on the staff of the New Zealand Defence Forces. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make with regard to this petition. 15th September, 1925.

No. 14. —Petition of Christian Kienle, of 67 View Road, Auckland. Praying for compensation for physical infirmities alleged to be due to want of medical attention while he was interned on Somes Island. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make with regard to this petition. 15th September, 1925.

No. 38. —Petition of Zillah Stevens, of Heme Bay, Auckland. Praying for a war pension in recognition of the services of her husband, now deceased, who was on active service with the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 15th September, 1925.

No. 113. —Petition of Trevor Noel Holmden, of Auckland. Praying for payment of differences in pay and gratuity between Imperial and New Zealand rate. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 15th September, 1925.

No. 139. —Petition of Edward Walls, of Devonport, Auckland. Praying for a renewal of war pension. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 15th September, 1925.

No. 165.—Petition of Sydney Tovey, of Wellington. Praying for compensation for alleged neglect in treatment of his injuries received during his service with the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make on this petition. 15th September, 1925.

No. 26.—Petition of Norman Edwin Wilson, of Hillsborough, Onehunga. Praying for a compassionate allowance in respect of an injury lie met with while a member of the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make on this petition. 15th September, 1925.

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No. 122. —Petition of Joseph Ingley, of New Plymouth. Praying that the New Zealand War Medal should be awarded to him in recognition of services rendered during the Maori War. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 15th September, 1925.

No. 56. —Petition of William Bolland Davies and 5 Others, of New Plymouth. Praying for recognition for services rendered during the Maori War. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make on this petition. 15th September, 1925.

No. 39. —Petition of Eva Laura Wellbourn, of Broad Bay, Dunedin. Praying for a compassionate allowance as compensation for the impaired health of her brother, which is alleged to be due to service with the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 15th September, 1925.

No. 8.' —Petition of John David Perry, of Richmond, Christchurch. (First Report.) Praying that the war pension granted to him should be made retrospective to the date his son was killed in action. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 17th September, 1925.

No. 134. —Petition of George Forbes Johnston, of Ponsonby, Auckland. Praying for a permanent military pension as compensation for injuries met with during service with the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make on this petition. 24th September, 1925.

No. 230. —Petition of Arthur Ernest Burton, of Grafton, Auckland. Praying for relief owing to alleged disablement contracted during war service. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that the petitioner should be re-examined by the medical experts of the Pensions Department, and therefore recommends the petition to the Government for consideration. 24th September, 1925.

No. 8. —Petition of John David Perry, of Richmond, Christchurch. (Second Eeport.) Praying that a war pension granted to him should be made retrospective to the date his son was killed in action. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 24th September, 1925.

No. 169.' —Petition of Martin Joseph Cleary, of Greymouth. Praying that he be granted a pension on'account of illness contracted during service with the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that the petitioner should be re-examined by the medical experts of the Pensions Department, and therefore recommends the petition to the Government for consideration. 24th September, 1925.

No. 155. —Petition of John Shortal, of Invercargill. Praying for relief for alleged wrongful discharge from the New Zealand Permanent Military Forces. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 24th September, 1925.

No. 88.-—Petition of John Clancey, of Frankton Junction. Praying that he be granted a permanent war pension commensurate to the physical disabilities he suffers as a result of service with the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 24th September, 1925.

No. 202. —Petition of The Zenith Artifical Appliances (Limited), of Auckland. Praying for an inquiry into the treatment of the company by the Pensions Department. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 25th September, 1925.

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No. 258.—Petition of R. B. Brickell, of Carterton. Praying that he be placed in the same position as other Maori War veterans. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make on this petition. 30th September, 1925.

No. 237. —Petition of Mary Martin, of Roskill, Auckland. Praying for inquiry and renewal of a military pension to her son. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make on this petition. 30th September, 1925.

No. 227 —Petition of E. Heke and 86 Others; No. 229—Petition of W. L. Panther and 16 Others, of North Auckland. Praying that they, as ex-service amputees, be granted the option of obtaining their appliances where they desire. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make on these petitions. 30th September, 1925.

No. 254. —Petition of J. E. Lea, of Invercargill. Praying for relief owing to disability alleged to be due to military service. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make on this petition. 30th September, 1925.

No. 261.—Petition of Isabella Marie Nelson, of Hamilton. Praying that she be granted a war pension in respect of the services of her late husband with the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 30th September, 1925.

Special Report. I am directed to report that the Defence Committee desires to express its appreciation of the services of the late Major-General Charles William Melvill, C.8., C.M.G., D.5.0., Belgian Order of the Crown, Croix de Guerre, General Officer Commanding New Zealand Military Forces, to the Dominion and the Empire, and to convey to Mrs. Melvill its deepest sympathy in her bereavement. 22nd September, 1925.

Special Report. I am directed to report that the Defence Committee desires to place on record its appreciation of the courtesy and consideration of the Minister of Defence, the Hon. Sir R. Heaton Rhodes, K.8.E., and regrets that, as he does not intend contesting the next election, he will not be a member of the Committee next year. 30th September, 1925.

Special Report. I have the honour to report that the Defence Committee desires to place on record its appreciation of the ability and tact displayed by the Chairman, Mr. Potter, in the conduct of the business of the Committee during the session ; and further desires that this resolution be recorded on the minutes of the Committee and be reported to the House. J. W. Munro, 30th September, 1925. Member of the Committee.

Special Report. I am directed to report that the Committee desires to place on record its appreciation of the services of the Clerk, Mr. J. L. Haselden, and that the Government be recommended to permanently appoint him, so that the Committee will be assured of his capable services and experience for future sessions. 30th September, 1925.

Pinal Report. I am directed to report that the Defence Committee held its final meeting on the 29th September. During the session the Committee held nine meetings, the average attendance of members at each meeting being six. Twenty-six petitions were received for consideration, and all of these were duly considered and reported on. 30th September, 1925.

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