PARLIAMENT YESTERDAY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 3989, 23 July 1915, Page 5

PARLIAMENT YESTERDAY.

THE HOUSE

(Press Association Telegram.) WELLINGTON, July 22. Tho House met at 2.30 p.m. Dr. Thacker-gave notice to ask certain questions relative to the medical (ate of the men at Treutham camp. Replying to Mr Parr, the Premier sii.l New Zealand has approximately o pupped and despatched 20.0(H) men to the war. Taking the matter of population into consideration, he believed New Zealand was in the lead. _ He hoped that lead would he maintained. Replying to Mr Webb, the Minister for Alines explained the position oi the fund from which rnen suffering from .Miners’ Complaint were relieved. He hoped to have the fund placed on a more satisfactory footing. Replying to .Mr Ruddo. the Premier said i;e iijiild assert with confidence that everything medical science could suggest was being done for the sufferers from cerebro-spinal meningitis at Treutham. He wished the public to understand that this was a fact., He hoped, with more, favorable conditions ami sunshine that the trouble would soon he over. Replying to Air Russell, the Premier said a. very <lo.se eye was being kept on all enemy aliens. He expected to make a fuller statement on the matter in a few days’ time. In answer to uii'-stions, the AJinister for Defence, said every care was being taken to ensure the promnt delivery of parcels and postal matter to the troops in Egvrjl. Endeavors wen* being made to ascertain information regarding imprisoned troopers in Turkev ami money was being sent to troopers; on the most favor" able terms. The following Mills were read a first time::—Crimes Amendment (Hon. Mr flordruan), Kensington Park Rates Exemption (Air Aiaiuk-r). Wellington Karori .Sanitation ami Water Supply Amendment (Air Wrignt). The Premier read a message from tin.* Lord Aluyor of London thanking tin* New Zealand people for their gift of £J56,000 towards M.-lgian relief. Air Massey stated that the Government had arranged to contribute £'120,000 per annum towards the relief of tho Belgian people till the end of the war.

The House then went into Commits tee on tin* Definition of Time Mill. During the discussion on Clause I. a section of the country members developed strong opposition to the Bill, urging Air Sidey to withdraw it till after tho war. The discussion was proceeding at the dinner adjournment. The House rose at 5.30 p.m. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. The whole of the evening sitting was occupied with the dis: ussion on Clause I. of the Definition of Time Bill, with every prospect of the debate continuing tor some hours, country members displaying an evident intention to block the passage of the measure if possible. Air Sidey offered to insert a new clause postponing the coming mto operation of the Bill until the first Sunday in November. 1910. but- the compromise was not accepter! by opponents of the Bill. _ ._ At 11.20 the House divided, on a motion to report progress. The motion was lost by 3S to 26. Discussion on _ Clavee I. was; then, resumed amidst- cries of "Vote, “Vote,” from supporters of the BiiiAt- 12.-5 a.m. Air Pearce moved that, the chairman leave the chair. The motion was lost by 32- to 2b- and the discussion on Clause I. was oniinued bv opponents or the Bii At 12.45 a.m. another divisioi ms taken on a motion to report p-rop • *>- This was lost by 22 to 30. Hon. Air Herries then sugge- ’;ed that Air Sidey should lie satisfied v. tli passing the short Title of the ; : J aigl tkTii report progress. The suggestion was not accepted. Hon. Air. Herries said that under the circumstances they were eymently in for a orotracted sitting figuring a Bill not worth fighting for ana mating themselves ridiculous iu tme eyes of the country. The discussion was resumed, and. at- 1.30. Air Hint moved that_ the title of tlie Bill be the "Dunedin Tun*.saving Bill,” which proposal is no-.r beino- discussed. (Left sitting.)