TWO DISTINCT ISSUES.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 528, 8 June 1909, Page 4

TWO DISTINCT ISSUES.

- SESSION A fed-'NAVAL CONFMREKE.

THE PREMIER- DEFENDS .HIS PROPOSALS.

• EFFECTIVE REPLY BY THE OPPOSITION LEADER.

, PROPOSAL TO SHELVE THE COUNTRY'S BUSINESS CARRIED. ; z -\ ■■"■'.»: ::••..,'

WILL REPORT OF MEMBERS'" SPEECHES.

. :r -.' Practicably every member, of the Houso o .-■.:. Jftepresentatives was: in;his' place in Parlia .; ; trient; Buildings yesterday at. 3 p.m. in re '■'::'■;'■; dponse to 'the Prime .Minister's, , summqns-J;i >': : /attend a gathering"to : consider, the positioi ;Y- ; ; ;with'respect to tho Defence, Conference .a.n< •: . : - -the '.session. -Members of-Vttie ';Eegislativ< -:"i Council found accommodation in the gal :;., leries, and a jhandful of: ladies were also prp ;i.'. sent.:' Tho speculation as to : the procedun .;V6f:this'unusual assembly. wa3 set ;at, rest b; ;':'■■■''■'<■ the Prime: Miniiterfs; announcement. that hi ■,■: would ,act as chairman,/which hie did froa 'fi :■■ . hia place.: in ..the .front, Ministerial.' bench .;.; .■Hβ;' opened ■ the .proceedings with' -'a ,'speecl :'-.: ■;■ .lasting nearly two hours. . The .'greater por : ; ; ;\tion; of his' utterance was concerned'..with ;,'i t ,: {' prolonged upon the importanci ■ / / of,'. maintaining the' : . supremacy 'of Vthe'' Bri- ;■' '//itish/Navy. "'.v' ; Early in bis" speech he was; in-■v;-;y/ terrnpted by/Mr. Taylor, who askedv-him-tc ;. ';/ 'read;the. confidential telegram, which 'wai ? . .. sent .'to certain ; on the day oi .:.;;,which the baitlesiip,offer-was;.made,; He de. .',;. ■;^clined^.however, to read : the message. ■ -Ii ;:.■'■ .the course;of his speecli;lie.:fead .a number •:.;' : of■: cable messages.'.'that had- passed betweer s':-\y the" Government ancl the Home authorities, ';■;::'• end :he ''. quoted •yoluminorisly,,from"Various !■.■",-.'■ speeches. ' ;.:.. to ; ,, ."agreed upon'at-' the;:Goyernment ,: caucus "in :.. •. the morning,' Mr.; T.i -T. Duncan moved a re- .■:.'-'., 'solution affirming the :i .opinion : that':iSir J. ■■%;..f:.. : G.'>Wari3. : shpMd'-ropresent/New:'Zeaiahd-'at '■if.; the' conference, ,and.that.-the'.-seisibn ehould ■•■■j.be ppstponed/^•;...'A prolonged' debate ensued ].. , when) tho. meeting, •which adjourned 1 shortlj };;.: after; 6 jp.m:, met at 7.30 p.m.y in the" course ..:;■ of..which. , various members of '.tho Opposition ',[''■'. ■■ strongly f-.j:,'. against' tho W •: the. session. :.;:: Shortly before -10.p.m.;the meeting.adjourned : S\egainr for half an'hour.: < ■'::■.'■■'. W^-,y..- ,-.■:■•; .^V-'.-'.^'^V^.^^^'^^^''^'^ l6 ' l^^.'?''l ' v-j; ■ wasJ.the;: se.ttlpd.;. eilsnce.',of; jthe '.Government ;l& members. ; the. exception 'of Seinembei ; ": for Napier,' nobody .delivered a speech :'iii '■; :/ ; ;/6uppo'rt: ol :thp Prime.'■ Minister.' - ThevresoW-' j-i :'., tion. ■ was: cut, in' ti^o,; and the first partj af- :..,\ firming/the . of'haying ! New •;v;:iZealand' represerited;by. the;Prime-Minister, :'l v. was .early canjed'-''with'out ; 'dissent.-** <Tb the ■■'~;.eecqnd:.'. part -of ;;.^h'ei'.■resolution Mr.';( JaaT , y .;!AJlen:moved, an.amendment,-affirming, vin fifr '.-vfect, 'ithat' the importance 'of Ithe :country's VV!:. business. : :required ; ,the.'■• continuance; of .< tho .ft' :v; sessipn/;vTne v'¥nme;' <} fiVeii '-■_) .;•■■; indisposed Vthe'-amendnient "J- to ;,|, considered,' bther-i:.v-;wise.':;;: ■b^-''^'yy:'-\ : : : &i^:-f.'?jf i ',';-; A'division'was 'taken' ]nst r atjl-6'clobt ; ,this ~ >'morning,.'. and .-.Mr. - Allen's ..amendment '/was v ; .^lpst i by.4s>ptes>;3o,:and'th'e.motion ; carneJ t : \< r t<w<- \-■-'';'— — ■'■Z^:'-'--'-■'■'"■■- : ; . '':.,;;,-' : FAM.ILIAR':;CORR'ES^ONp > ENqp'.;QUQTED; i >"/U.:' : V "•';'; ~.. , '■.''-':]'"- .';■'.■-' -"/'■■'.•; ■ !"■■ .y.'; v ; PERTENENT ; INQinBIES. ,•;.;;■ '. :■:":;;.'! .The.Prime .Minister said that/before;pro- ■'.;:': ;«eeding ;to--,indicate;Uhe-^■course > which :'he '-] , : :., thought it would.be. convenient"for memßers ;.;'' to.pursuo.; under' yeryj difficuli;': and i,iiniqu'e .;/; .to;-ask for theVco-' ?.'.'.operationsof with a view to effect-■■.r'.-:iing;-'..iif;-.possible, what the: law of the couni:, .try, .so far. as tho .convening l ' of .Parliament ;;>/ before the : 1 I :.date;pf. prorogation-was' con- ':;.. jcerned, ;had.,prevented being done./ :...'; ;':" ; v" ; .A Meinher-:j ; lfc has«noti'",'. r -jr ,: s- , ■'. ■ ': [-:£"\ .- ; .'.He : ,of,;tho;.Legislatute.-toTmeet: him'.so ■■.i.;'. ; :as,;to\.eneble , .theVposition'to. : be.;placed.'before' ..;..,/ them," and 'they;would see.that this was the :;/; 'only.way. , iri.. ] which;it,"was.possible for it to :..<■. bo ;dono,"i.Ho.; th&tikediUhe members .of--both" ,'.;: for.thoir kindness in coming together . :,at his invitation.. : :Ho was sure.tho members v;^of.: : tho. Lower Houserwould be.glad of. the ./;; presence .of ■ the: members; of- •"another-, place,"- ■■!- but he. Hoped that .when; his statement had ;.',' been: made of ■ the: Legislative i//Council-would: adjourn and consider 'in their y_; o;yh way. the '.position, 'because the', felt ■that' ■' y'JiWith .tho 'responsibilisy resting (ipqii- nim.--ho ;-'■.-, ought td'hayb"an expression of the opinion ;■■; '•;-■/ ...-'.'. ''■'/■..■'.'■■■:'.,- '■■, -.■ ■ : \- V ■/,;[ ;;.; ■ His Own; Chairman, v";;- ;-.. ',-,.' ;: ;:"■■; chairman, because -they■■ Had , como'at.'liisvih-: [•■:?,, vitation,/ r.nd'.therefbre" :he; wouldj.'himself i/; ; : preside,; v and;vpuj;, ; any:;.resolutipn,:whiqh any. /1 .member 'desired to ,'havo' p'lit' at" the' end. of //."the.proceedings' or before. The, reason for .:,:. tho' unusual course, that had : been followed :'; ;ih calling.membors.togetiier-'ivas' that tho ■'-" v law in;Now.-Zealand,, 'uhlike tlib' 'British;laW/ ,; -./did.not-admit-of-Parliame.ntjbeing called to';.:/'..j?e'ther.'in :ahl emergency antecedent -to r the . ■. date, of. prorogationj -.whicfi'';was iii this in-; '.: .stance June-10.;, In' jiis 'opinion the law/on /;.':: thisppiht.ought;toboamended..: Hadit beo'ii ;,.-. possibleV-iPariiarneat'wbuld/havo 'been'called ; :. together so as to avoid convening members in :. : ','"'. ; the present■..'.nnusualiway,', which, 'hevvever, j -'had beon.adopted.ih-ptlier, British countries. r , .He .had all along 'been' of : the opinion tliat ;. ■; ', those'; proceedings should not: only be pub-: t.'- '■ .;lisned;in the press/ but that a record'- should .- /./.be' taken'"'by the .Hansard.staff, .so that a ■■'■;•'. report coiild"afterwards' be presented as ii ;-t Parliamentary paper; for tno use of members '{-:■:} and as:a recordi./'.Ho'; , was: sure'-this 'course JO :would.:cbrambnd\itself- to tho members pre-:''";...Bent..'V'.'.■''.■■■':.''"';"'•.'■,'v.."'-."V:'.". ■'■ '.'-■■" ■"" ".""'. '.." <":;: y V-=:: ■•':'.'--.'j.'-V^The'. Twpi.Leadei's.-:;. ■,•.:'.' ■: %.':_ '''•:. ;' .v -Ho was ;vcry pleased vto. see. tho' Leader of' ) ■ the Opposition pre'seht, A : difficulty had pre- ;. -.. sented. itself, -so far astho'ordinary etiquette — between loaders was concerned.. Tho hon. ;,:;;; gentleman had .refqrrcd'.tofhe fact that ho ..-, had received no intimation or,corninunication •;•■■ - from "tho ; Prime.Minister. Ilewas anxious to '. recognise'in*every possible way the responsible position occupied by tho Leader of the .;■ Opposition, and to oxtendto him the fullest - courtcey;in every, possible way. A pronouncc- , merft.of-a negative character had,' however ;'-'; been mado by tho Opposition Leader, and .',.' ;this placed rt beyond his (the : Prime' Minis- : ter's).power.to:,discuss tho point at iss'ub ',",. with him - except upon ; the; assumption that ■•;. the hon. gentleman would oha'ngo.his views. ;. Had; it been .possible-to. Confer with the ■:.-:Leader, of the Opposition -as'to a definite ' course, ho wonld have done so. He could ■-..therefore only act with' tho general 60-opera- . .; tion of members. '■■:■.; -..■.,■■ ';-.■./-Reasons.(or the Informal Meeting. ■ ':'■■■;■■: The causes of tio assembling, of. members were beyond tho,control , of't!he' i Gover , nriient' ; - rs they were not diiectb or indirectly n>

.sponsible for'the'eprivening of the conference in iingland. The-New Zealand Government neither suggested nor.was consulted in tlio Sf c t !? r .?g-5?- tih "conference was announced, iielore tße.;Bovernment could-submit to his' Excellency the Governor an outline of the .SWS&'frojß Jfce Throne to be delivered by liim-i»t*thejopeningbf. Parliament, it was necessary fdr them to, ascertain tho views of members as- to whether New Zealand was to -be/represented': at 'the conference by the i-Pnme Minister, and whether Parliament was to adjourn owmgto bis attendance there. If they decided these questions in the affirma;WT.oj.,the;Spe.opi;frpta;the Throne would intimate tho;actual cause for the sliort meeting of •\??W*?m&/ -and,;tho. measures to be taken ■for-financial-arrangements, .to enable the business of the country to be carried on, and : ?TO I.™ s P e ech would end. On the other :hand,. if members decided that New Zealand wasmof.te-bojrepresented by the/head cf the Government, and that the House ourht ■not :to" adjourn," then the Governor would re-•quife-to be advised as: to the legislative measures tq;bo. brought down, and tho Govorun^,™:.j? «'position; to do this, if required.. If .tho shorter Speech was submitted and: therorwas, after all, no prorogation, then thr Government would be blamed, and necessarily, so,; for. not/having, outlined the proposed.legislation.- If Parliament decided that we to be represented at the time fixed by the British Government, it would be necessary to have a short, Bitting of Parlia.menVand if the invitation was not'responded to, they wonld -lay themselves' openT to a S° f to of the i^ntish-Empire.,-Tho Government, if they refnsed would bo blamoablo but they could not accept- until they- knew what wero tho viows of members. ' ; - : Jk--?-- K J! ayl r How-did Australia'deal with :i it,:,in the absence "of;: Parliament? ,: i;- Slr ■ J .° s .eph Ward: I do not want to reply to questions now. .-> .' ■ - . - ■■"■', ft M .r : I will ask: thb/question later V-i^'^i'i;; ThS-'Dreatlnbught Offer. - '/';Sir ! Joseph that it wou d be unfair',to ask for an affirmative resolution,; or the. contrary, on tho proposal "•Sf^fv* 0 * 110 Homo Government aDread-■nought,-,qr two, if required. Ho proposed to Parliament,, when it had assembled, to .f-m?e-.#| r M e w§«>eren.:.that: matter;" (Hear : hear :) I It; was .right that Parliament itself should'affirm, or otherwise, its: confirmation ofjthe, proposal;tho Government bad made in tnat:Tesp'ect, but they had to give an answer OB io, representation at; the Conference, and a-dispatch which was.expected had not yot :beenrecoived (doubtless because the Home .tiovernraent was waiting/ to know the out-' ,?. o present conference), and Pa'r-' Jiament,.would not; bo., in a-position to decide •.%vtJio--quc-stion'iiegjirdin3 the Dreadnought ■offer-until that-d,spateh was received. ■W.njJo, however, ho was not going to ask tho members,,. present to discuss -. the Govern- ,£ e ? t ,?.'° L ffer P f a Dreadnought, it was' necessary to put on:-record in 'their eequenco ;thq-diepatches corfnei?.ted therewith'. .'■ He pro-posed-to dos so from the start, So that mum:5 ers : c .?n?a have/before : them the corrcspon,dence*miin]l, so/far..as the Government was ;■-.•■ .:.:'. ■ ' - J :"-The Official Corrosnbndence. ! by the Prime Minister commenced with the memorandum Which he laid before Cabinet on.. March 20 ; roferringtoa"crisis'yn the affairs of the Empire,- and proposing , -tlio offer of one, or if .necessary -two .Dreadnoughts. This was a ;lengthy;document,;and contained tbo follow-•SS'.s'atqffienW'-i'.'lF tho.qffor is accepted by the;Jiritishi,Goyornmerit we must,, of course ask - Parliament .for : authority 'to- raise a specml; loan, and,: in,-addition to providinc interest., upon the amount required for a sinking-fund-of rper cent, for the redemption of tho loan.'!. . ~ .;. "The-respohsibfl-:ity.Mleyolving upon the Goverrtment 'in takmg : action is a great one;. tho refusal of .Parliament to sanction it,' involving as it weujd;j..harretiremont of the ■ Government or dqut that -,tho loyalty, of tho: ppople. of New Ze-alahd,; voicing itself through their repreParliament, will endorse tho action of. the Government. Tho situation in tension and serious apprehension, and both in -this oyos of England and m the eyes of Europoa prompt andgenorous assistance would have in ad-dition::to;its-material-!value, amoral effect which cannot, be.-overestimated/ , •■■•'■'■ I'Oh Minister: wrote as follows,; to ; His, Excellency the .Governor-— '-I feel-euro -that in sending telegram to trovernment's '-offer. iof a- battleship, ydur Excelloncy, will.v.be. pleased to know that upon the; proposal being'submitted by mo to Cabi-netiit'-rcceived thounariimous endorsement of my colleagues. In advising tho -Homo authorities, sft shall; be; glad ..if. your Excellency will, .that tho New Zealand «?.™ rn ™c n t ■■wnst,-:,of.')Course, obtain ratification, and such legislation as n)ay/bo.'required::t6",inake'- tho gift'• effective, a^in 3fc'in the/meantime any advance necessary for the building of the warship will, no doi(bt, f '.b'e.mado'. : by-the British Government and. any .money -which tho-British Government so expends .before: Parliament meets will .bo part/pf/our contribution." ■'■; .'■'/' The Invitation. . , . Tho...Premier/also read the'official cablegrams that.passed/between the Now Zealand and Home Governments in 'regard to the Dreadnought dffor and the Naval Conference. Most of these hayo-. already-been published in I Tub;Dominion,"".;One sent by tho Secretary I of,' State ■ for. the' 'Colonies to'V the Governor of/New..Zealand oh-Jlay" 17 was as follows:— :-.::.,'.'Please., inform your. Ministers that "Government of Commonwealth of Aus- /. ;tralia.and Government of- Canada have ■''; accepted invitation ".to ' Defence Confer- ' enco proposal in my telegram of April !■ 80,-and.i that Government'; of South ■ African 'Colonics 'lvill authoriso'.delegates ; '. sent Home :in/cbhncction with Union of South' African" States to attend conference. In.thcso circumstances'l earnestly . .hope/ that.' the .Domiiiipn of New Zealand;: will ' bd represented, and that'.' , .../it/ may ; bo .possible for ' Sir Joseph Ward as Minister for Defence and Prime Minister to be spared from his '-. important duties to- attend conference. It is now proposed to hold conference at' ...end,of. July, as'.that. date will bo conveniont'for tho'-other delogatos, and will.: . Ihope, be also convenient to your Prime "Minister.," /'-../ He wanted to sajf that fit was necessary so far as Govorninoßt was concerned beforo that cable should bo replied to that it should know, tho opinion'of members of Parliament, asVuntil their opinion was known it was not .possible,to say '.'Yes," and the Government dKl_not -want to accept the'responsibility, of saying "No." Tiiero was no other way 'of. ttsoertaining tho views of members except by calling them together as had ' been done. Having; ascertained; tlie/wMI of Parliament, the GoverhrtKJnt'e: responsibility ended. Later on lie would discuss this point: too Govern-

ment with tho responsibility on its shoulders could not agroo to the suggestion that someone without responsibility to the country, somo one not invested with the full responsibility which devolved on a Minister of tho Crown, should bo deputed to represent New Zealand at a conference of such magnitude, and one which was of vital importance to tho Empire as a wholo, and ono in which New Zealand was so much concerned. He would remind members that at tho conference it was proposed (as had been declared by the Primo Minister of England) to consider New Zealand's Dreadnought offor. . That that would bo the. case had been put on record in a dispatch which was sent not only'to the New Zealand Government, but also in a circular dispatch to tho Governments of Canada, Australia, and South Africa. Ho went on to say that tho British Government, through Ihis Excellency the Governor, had intimated that they were .sending out to New Zealand by dispatch full details of that offer. In consequence of their having sent that communication, they had decided for reasons best known to themselves to hold a conferonce, to which it had invited representatives, of the oversea Dominions to be present, and up till now the Govorment had not received that dispatch. The obvious reason it seemed to him was to be found in the statement in tho dispatch sent by tho Primo Minister of England that tho offer was to come up for consideration at tho conference. ■i "Unprecedented" and "Transcendental." : Every -member- of the Ministry—and; he wanted to say frankly himself included— was unanimously of opinion that hi regard to the unprecedented conference—-the import-, ance of-which he could not help noticing had been discounted in somo quarters—considering the transcendental importance of the whole position brought about by causes known to everybody—causes directing Che attention of all parties in tthe Old Land and every other portion of tho Empire—there was necessity of something out of the ordinary being done —that the Primo Minister should be .sent to represent tho people of tho Dominion. He would-at that stage like to say a word or two as to why the Dreadnought offer was mado by the Government, and he • would take , the opportunity of ; removing a very unfair—and in fact in some respects indecently so—accusation which had been made against,himself, of having sent a confidential telegram to the editors of the press throughout the country inviting their opinion or consnlting them upon this matter whilst members of Parliament had not been consulted. As a matter of fact ho had not sent any telo-gra-m of the kind. , ....'-, Mr. Taylor: Head the wire you did send; ■' Sir Joseph: I have it here. ; Air.. Taylor: I will read it if you don't. ; . .': Sir Joseph: I shall bo glad to allow yon to do so. (Hear, hear.) The telegram which 1 did send was marked strictly confidential— . .Mr. Taylor: I will,read it if you don't. Sir Joseph: I sent it to the editors of the press. ■-, ~ ■■ - ■ . ; ' Members: Is it necessary to read it P Hae it.anything to do with this meeting? i ■ Mr. Allen: That is altogether beside tho question. ; Sir Joseph, r'esnming,' said that on tho day that tho offer was made ho gave an inter, ■view to tho press, and he sent a confidential -telegram, (ro: tho offer made to the Home Country) as to why ttiat course had been taken. . Every of ythe House woll knew—and at one time or another he had ■??, .cnjnn'nnications. of a confidential nature with them—that ho had-never once in his tfholo history disclosed any confidential maiter to anyone. He had always found tho editors of the Opposition prese-honourable men without exception/. It had now remained for orie editor to break that confidence. If tie liouso had asked him to remove the word confidential.from that document he would have dono sp. But the member for'Christ-ohurch_Noi-th had stated that, he was going • Mr. Taylor: ■It was' at your invitation. ■bir Joseph: Pardon me, it was-not. The lion, gentleman said lie would road it:-that he was goingto read it.- ■ , ment'-Jit 1 ? 01 ' 1 Can you '«™J. state- ; • Sir Jqsephj^is.not now necessary for me P do bo. r had ,t. here with tho intention ■Hb^^■i n^ I ■■ nβ^ I,otdo •.•?.■■■«»t a t^'. Sir Joseph; said this' was'a' mattor which ought' to tower abovo' party interests. , (Hear, heor.) At tho time "that the communication went out members of tho' Admimsi-aton knew of,ono matter, that had not been made.public,-and which was regarded as of vital importance. ,It had sinco comei ; out m the papers it was true, but at the time the - Government felt it was jueti- £«! wooing : as it had- done and tlZ ed 1 h £ aO u tin S in the best in! terests of the people when it mado the offer 3™. the T f ,« editors as had been. • Not Sent to All. , Mr Taylor: : Th o ; telegram was not Gent to all the editors." -r .■.';■' Sir Joseph wit should have reached all of them. - ■ .< / ■ / Mr. Taylor: I know several who did not get it. ■ - : . .... Sir Joseph: My instructions were that it should-go-to., all of them. I shall be .surprised it they.were. not carried out. ' of^ E DoSo,J aS ' ODeEentto^ s ' r Joseph: Where is The Dominionp Mr. Massey: Was one sent.to the "Press"? Sir Joseph: I will bo glad to mako inqniriesas to; whether they received it. Thov should have got it.. If it didn't go to The Dominion, it never went to the'"New Zealand Times." It may not havo beon sent to any of tho.local papers. As I have said before my instructions . were . that it should gq to all the editors. I have not distinguished between one or othor paper from beginning to end. : .... •• • Congratulations and Endorsements. ; Every honourable member knew that a very few exceptions the decision of tho Government had been affirmed and applauded generally throughout tho Dominion. He bad there many hundreds of congratulations from representative, bodies of all kinds, supporting, without a. single Exception the decision of the' Government. If there was any'doubt about the superiority of the British-fleet in regard to maintaining the supremacy of tho soa. we should very quickly cease to boa portion of tho British itopiro, and forthat reason theresolution of the Government had been almost universally endorsed. ■ The. congratulations to which he referred represented all classes of opinion, from tho North Cape to-tho Bluff Mr. Massey: Did you ask us hero to tell us that? . . . ■'. .■ , The Primo Minister: If the hon, member will allow me to finish- ..

' Mr. Massey: It is very Unfair. Hie Prime Minister: Will the hon. gentleman who says that it'is very unfair toll mo he is going to agree to my proposition, 'and I will.stop at once?-' i ' 1 Mr. Mapsoy: Well, tell us your proposition.' ■ Jlie Innie Minister,- continuing, said his belief was .that if Now Zealand had not made tuis otter to the Imperial Government thev would not. have beard of the Imperial Conference being called. Ho read tlio statement (previously published) '.of tho Secretary of btate for Foreign Affairs (Sir Edward-Grey) i™ i he ,. sta ,^! l . t ! ,at th ° Present crisis imposed on the British nation the necessity of rebuilding the wbolo of its floet. Tho convening of the conferonco was more than justified liy theso words of tlio Secretary for Foreign. Affairs. Ho did not himself" know anything of a more convincing character in regard to tho valuo of tho conference than the words of s man of Sir Edward Grey's character and position. Ho did not believo they conld over-estimate tho significance of the,conference after hearing tho utterances of.such a man to that ofFect. •. . Mr. Blatchford as a Wltnoss. Ho wanted to put on record also the opinions of a mail outsido Parliament, a man who was a leader in tho Old Country, and whoso followers embraced a very considerable' section of tile people. Ho roforred to a .written statement by Mr. Robert Blatchford. ;(Laughter.) ■ . . . • Mr. Taylor: You aro hard, pushed for evidence. The Prim© Minister: It is nothing of the kind. Ho was going to put Mr. Blatehford's own words on record on the matter, because ho honestly believed that a section of the people in this country, with tho best of in-

tontidns, were mistaken in the view which they had taken of this question. Sir Joseph then read a lengthy article by Mr. Blatchford, which was stated to have been written from a bed of illness. The writer contrasted Germany's preparations for war with Britain's state of unpreparedness, and expressed his conviction that the German nation was more efficient for war than the British, and that Germany meant war. He believed that this German crisis was the most momentous crisis since the beginning of the nineteenth century. The reatlng of the article was interrupted by sarcastic comments and "hear, hears" from a section of the House. Objections to .Adjournment. We wore willing to help tho, Old Country when wo were required to do it.' (Mr. Massoy: Hoar, hear.) Wo should be willing to send the head man of the Government to the Imperial Conference (Mr. Massey: Hear, hoar), but the question was going to arise whether tho business of Parliament should go on without his leadership, and whether his party should be left to carry on in hie absence. Opposition member: Why not? The Prime Minister went on to speak of tho importance of maintaining the supremacy of the British Navy. Another authority, who. had maintained a groat namo in , tho Navy himself, Lord Charles Beresford I —-(laughter and sarcastic "hear, hears.") Mr. Taylor: Quote him!. The Prime Minister; I propose to do so. I am glad it pleases tho lion, gentleman. Lord Charles Beresford, writing on April 20 to a Navy League meeting, wished the league success in 1 rousing the country to a sense of its grave danger. If the country knew- the whole truth, he declared, there would bo a panic. "I don't believe a man like him," said the Prime Minister, "would make a statement like that unless he believes it." Opposition query: What date was that? The Prime Minister: April'2o. Mr. Taylor: Ho has made other statements since then . ■ ; < In the course of further interjections, Mr. Taylor said that Lord Charles Beresford had made other banquet speeches since. The Prime Minister: That did not happen to be a banquet speech, so if you quote any banquet speeches in opposition to that they ought to bo discounted. . Sir Joseph Ward, continuing, said that Lord Eshor, speaking on Juno 1, in Perthshire,. said that Britain stood in a more perilous position'to-day than at any time during tho last hundred years. Britain ought to build two warships ? for every one that was built by the next strongest Power. '■'■'■~ The Australian Government's Example. , , To come hearer home, there was the Fedoral. Government of Australia. • Mr. Taylor: Sent a senator to represent the Government. ' ■ The Prime Minister: I'm going to tell tho hori. member what they have done, and as the action of, the Federal Government had been quoted by certain quarters—not, ho thought, by the Loader of tho Oppositionhe would tell-them wbat their action was. He would road from a leading article in the Melbourne "Argus." ' Mr. Taylor: A leading.article? Sir Joseph road a statement, which ho eaid was contained in a leading articlo of the "Argus," published that day:— This.was to the effect thnt tho new Federal Government at. its' , first Cabinet meeting had decided to offer a Dreadnought to tho British Government. This wae done*at .a time when tho Houso was adjourned, and it would be necessary to havo the action ratified by Parliament when it reassembled. Tho example of Sir Joseph Ward was quoted with approval in support of this procedure, ! The concluding reference of the telegram was greeted with Ministerial applause. .The Prime Minister . said he would ask thoso who had been quoting the Federal Government of. Australia to realise what that meant. The _ Government, which had como to that decision was tho only ouo that had had a majority behind it for a considerable period. It showed that the sons of the Empire in theso southern seas did not misjudge the people whom they represented, or show any kind of weakness when they dealt with tho necessity of insuring the supremacy of,tho British Navy, tov, w rds the maintenance of-'which wo paid next door to nothing.' (Hear, hear.)

Mr., Taylor: Hear; hear. And you objected to any payment at one time, The Prime Minister: I did nothing of the kind. Now the lion, member- is grossly unfair. Ho would put right that matter later. He had seen tho same statement published a little whilo ago, and ho had thought it so unfair as not to be worth his contradicting He had always supported the British Navy, and ho could put his hand on records which would show that he had done so. (Hear, hear.) . - ', ~■ ■ ■ Mew Zealand's Representation. Every member of the Executive believed that the head of tho Government should represent New Zealand at the conference. If the. House decided to that effect, it raised the question, so far as tho head , of the Government was concerned, of his responsibility to the country, to Parliament, and , to the party, as a party man of which he was the leader. - They could not disassociate the three propositions he had placed'bcfore them on, any grounds, howovor speciously the? might be put by certain persons/ "I-say here,- now, jn unmistakable; language, that if this House oxpects the head of the Government to go, to the Imperial Conference, a ?^, as Ji ß """n-to do so with the continance of Parliament in his absence, I should unequivocably and emphatically decline to go." Mr. Massey: You will not bo doW your duty. ■ ' • ■■■■'-..■ ■ . '

The Prime Minister said that tho Opposition Press throughout tho country, with only an odd exception here and there, had risea- above' party spirit in this matter in a way that ho was glad to acknowledge, and which was one of the proudest objects in the history of this country to realise. Tho\ had shown that they could put the affairs of the Empire first, and local parochial politics next. He urged that it was an unfair, proposition to'suggest that Parliament should go on 'with its business, and tho Government proceed to carry out its policy m the absence of, the leader of tho G ° v r ell "nent side. (Ministerial hear, hears.) Mr, laylor:.ls your Ministry incompetent? ' The Primo Minister urged that it was not playing fairly tho great game of cricket to. suggest that the Government's policy should be earned on in the absence of the man who had authorised, and might on some occasions, bo alono able to eive information on . that policy; In 1902 when tho late Prime Minister wont to the Old Country under what circumstances did he go? (A Member: We ill know.) He had come back from' an appeal to the people with Jus party stronger in force, when he was invited to attend an important conference or cercmony-(A Member: Hear, hoar Ccremonyy-in the Old .Country, and ho asked J arliament to adjourn till his return. The request was granted, and ho thought ho was right in saying that, practically no dissent was shown. The Leader of the Opposition and . members of his party voted for it. That was in the case of the first session of a now Inrliament. Later, in tho concluding session of the Jrarliament, when the Prime Minister had not in the interval been before the people, the course followed when ho went Home was the right one; an acting leader was appointed in the Premier's place; and tho business of-tho country went on. Parliament established the precedent that if tho leader. of the party on returning, from tbo country had occasion to go Homo on imporant business, tho work of Parliament should be suspended, and should not go on till ho had had an opportunity of consulting the members of his party. The proposition was now made for the first time that a -leader called to go Home for a great purpose should do so leaving his opponents in a position to ■move resolutions in his absence affecting tho policy ho had framed and was not;present to defend. That was not a fair proposition. (Hear, hears.)

On that occasion, the late Premier had just como back to power after an appeal to the country, and he would not havo gono to London if Parlaimcnt had not adjourned, and thore was not a member of his Ministry who would have acted as leader in his absence had he asked him to do w under the oirouxQei&ncce.

The New Ministers. What fairness was there in asking an acting loader to define the policy of tho Administration immediately after a general olectkm. It, would bo unfair to tho country for him (Sir Joseph Ward) to go away from the party which had been returned for tho first time under his leadership. Thore were new men to whom ho bad only been able to* say "How do you do?" A Member: And now Ministers. Sir Joseph Ward: Yes, and new Ministers, concerning whom there may bo some criticism. Mr. Mnssoy: Aren't they able to defend themselves? Sir Joseph Ward: You can't get away from the fact that, however able a man may bo, if ho is called npon to act. for an absent man in regard to tho policy of the country, he does not get a. fair show. You gag him and tie him, and then expect him to act. If I am called npon, I dosire to do whatever tho House requires to represent this country at a conference which men on both sides in tile Old Country, and here also, say is of vital importance. • We recognieo absolutely that no Government could or would pntrquestions of defensive organisation, strategical matters, and the like into a circular for general publication. Cravlty of the Occasion. Many better men, and mea able to judge, hold the opinion, which I .share, that nover since the days of Nelson had there boon an enocli of such gravity and importancoi to the United Kingdom and tho outlying portions of tno Empire. (Hear, hear.) The New Zealand Government had shown her, faith in tiho Old Country in a practical w»y, and surely as a corollary and consequence of that wo must, as a community, bo represented at the conference, and if so, then by a. responsible man who could como back and explain to Parliament the proposals which it was necessary for Parliament to consider. It had been suggested that the High Commissioner, who had filled important positions in this country, and would fill liis present position in the Old Country with as much credit, should represent Now Zealand at this important . conference. (Hear, hear.) Hβ did not believo Mr. Hall-Jones, if askod to go, would do so, unless be- were compelled. Nothing wss more certain than this —that they could not remove the responsibility vested in a Minister of the Crown to any other shoulders. Were the conference an open one, there would bo a great deal to say for the representation of New Zealand at it by some one other' than a Minister, but now at, the beginning of :a new era, when the Parent Lxnd called her children to discuss not only New Zealand's offer of n Dreadnought, but otW matters, some of which could not bo named in a circular, they must havn some person in authority who would be able to give Parliament an opportunity of hearing from him on the floor'of. the House what proposals ho could disclose to the people, so that they understand what tho conference was called together to die-, cuss, and what rcsponsibilites should be imposed in this country. ..■."'; What a Premier Can Do. The High might- be the wisest man in tho world, or'so might any other person outside the' House, but there was-no "one hut the Prime Minister who could do this ono material thing—who could stake the existence of his Government on what ho' proposed to submit to Parliament. Mr. Massoy: Nobody, asks him to do. that. Sir Josoph Ward, proceeding, said that until; that day tho only country that had offered, during tho difficulty that had recently arisen, a battleship to tho Mother Country was New Zealand ' ;; :. Mr. C. A. C. Hardy (Selwyn): Victoria built ono herself.. - , , Sir Joseph Ward: I am talking about ths recent offer that is>to come before the conference, r.nd tlio only person who has the responsibility .given to him under the"Con-, stitution, and is responsible to Parliament, is tho only person who can stake the existence of the Government on what he agrees to at the conference, ■ :.'■■•■ Mr. Massey: That makes it a party question. ;■■■'•.- ■ Sir Joseph Ward: It is kept above party. : Mr. J. Allen .(Bruce): Party is what you're looking after and. nothing else. ■ Sir Joseph Ward: Supposing some one]-not a Minister,' were- to''go "add agreo to proposals, which could not bo disolosed, could thoy expect him to cablo out to tho Government what he would not bo allowed to speak of outside, the meeting? Mr. Maesey: Mr. Asquith says the conference is to.be purely consultative. (Hear, hoar.) ••..-.'■' ' Sir Joseph Ward: He has said the Dreaif 'nought ofter will bo discussed. . Continuing: tho Prime Minister said that, in making tho ; offer referred to, tho Government was actuated by-a desire to show, the moral.and practical effect of helping the Mother Country to prepare .to defend herself against tho aggressiveness of a powerful country, and, be believed, they had done righfc : V Mr. W. C. Buchanan (Wairarapa): Why labour it so?. ' . . • Mr. T. E. Taylor:'Will you'commit the colony to. any expenditure? , . .. .Sir Joseph Ward said Parliament would havo, to ratify or reject what he did. The consensus of opinion was that he should reprosent. New Zealand at the conference. If. members of Parliament would agree to these ' two propositions—first, Should New Zealand be represented- at the conference bj the Primo Minister? and, second, Should Parliament adjourn during hie absenco— ?• Mr.. Massey:.'.Will you put them seDarately? . Sir Joseph Ward: Yes. , „ ; • Trie Session. He proposed to adjourn until September 30, after voting supplies, etc., ana' doing any minor business that required immediate attention, though ho did not know of any such. The" arraiigomerit would delay ■ tho i'ublio Works Statement about a month, or six weeks. If the House met at the ordinary time, they would not have it before Sep.toinbor, and, if Parliament were prorogued until September 30, thoy would havo it before the middle' of November. There would be . no. dislocation of the . public works _of the country; In regard to legislation, there were half-a-dozen very important questions to bo dealt with, but that could be done without difficulty iin a second session, eo that members, could get homo well before Christmas, if they wanted to do so—oven if the' business included a want of confidence motion, which they were all eager for. (Laughter.) Mr. Massey: Aro you?. Sir Joseph Ward explained that as nuarlj all new. legislation camo into operation ' on' the first day of tho year following tho session, there would be no delay on that account. As.it would.be hardly proper for him to move a resolution while presiding, he had asked his old friend, Mr. Duncan to do so. In conclusion, the Prime Minister again expressed regret for tho inconvenience caused to members, which he attributed- to the date fixed for the Naval. Conference. He presumed July was chosen, because a that time tho Government would be mailing up its estimates of expenditure for submission to the House of Commons. Ho felt sure that whatever differences they might havo about details, the country realised the great importance of preserving tho peace of,tho world, and that the way to do so was to see that the greatest sea Power of the world-Britain and her depcndoiicieswas made so strong that she need not fear the possibility of aggression. (Applause.) A RESOLUTION. MOVED BY HON. T. Y. -DIVNC.Afi.' PROPOSED PROROGATION TILL SEPTEMBER 30. The Hon. T. Y. Duncan said tho resolution had only been put into his hands a , few minutes before, but ho heartily concurred with every word of it. • ■ ■ The resolution was as follows:— "That this meeting of 'mornbers of Parliament, recognising the vital iin- ' portance' to tho Empire of tho impending Naval Conference, considers it necessary that Now Zealand should bo represented at such conference, and that in viow of the importance of the part New Zeijoad proposes to tako in Imperial

naval defence, the representation should bo by the Primo Minister of New Zealand. .

"That this mooting further considers that as this is the first session of a now Parliament, it is expedient that tho Primo Minister should be in his place to explain the policy of his Government to the Houso, and that, therefore, Parliament should, after making the necessary financial arrangements to enablotho bnainesß of the country to bo carried on, bo prorogued until the 30th day of September next."

Ho did not see -why tho resolution should not be carried unaniraoulsy; as far as lie. was aware there was nothing to stop it —(laughter)—unless party warfare was introduced, and he thought members wcro above that. (Hoar, hears.) Personally ho had from tho first endorsed tho action of, the Government on the matter. He felt that it was necessary that .New Zor.land should take Hβ proper place in regard to tho proposed conference —that it should show that it was watching the movements in tho Old World, and that when any difficulty arose in which the Empire was involved it would give its support, so far as either money or men, was concerned, or Dreadnoughts if members likod to put it that way. There was no doubt but that the feeling throughout tho whole country, with very few exceptions, was that tho country was not going to. be put about by a short adjournment of the sittings of Parliament. Ho felt oertain that the Legislature conld do all the legislation that was required from September" 30. and its members_ would get home for Christmas. Jhp holding of the conference would, in hi'opinion, bq in tho interests of the whole Eivpire, and it would show that tho £mp!i>' was not divided—and that was tho wain strength on which it had- to depend. Th'i , citizens' of the Dominion all realised what it would mean to New Zealand, if Britain lost the supremacy of the seas! He then moved the resolution which he had read. > FEW QUESTIONS. ABOUT THE CORRESPONDENCE. THE TELEGRAM TO NEWSPAPER EDITORS. Mr. Massey said he would like an opportunity to ask whether the .Prime Minister had read the whole of the correspondence which had passed' between the ' Imperial Government and tho New Zealand Government with regard to the proposed conference. If he had—and he did not think that he had—wonld he have it printed and circulated prior to the discussion? Hear hears.) His request was not unreasonable, ho thought. It could be printed in tho interval.

Sir Joseph replied that he had read the whole of the correspondence which was, not marked confidential. . He would decline to read-confidential communications. (Hear hears.) Some people might not respect what was confidential, brat ho had to. That was his clear duty, and ho would refuse to deviato from it. Regarding, tho proposal that tho correspondence, should' bo printed he. would sm that that was done during the, adjournment. Discussion might proceed with regard to the questions at issue, which were very pertinent, viz., Is tho oquntvy to bo represented at tho conference? U so. is it to be represented by tho Prime Minister? And again. If so, is the sitting of the House to be adjourned? Those wero the -jmestione. upon which . tho Government wonted'information.

. Mr Masscy, by way of explanation, said ho might remind lion, gentlemen that thev Lad not had tho whole of tho correspondence. Sir Joseph Ward had practically admitted that that was so.' One letter or communication which was very important had been omitted. It had been referred to tho other day in Australia as follows:— •

"A cable was received.from the Secfftary of State for the"Colonies that tho .Now Zealand Government desired earnestly to attend the conference, but hadpomted out that it was impossible for.- its Ministers to be present until tho new Parliament had been convened and had voted supplies."

Surely that communication could not'be confidential, for it liad reference to the business or Parliament and of this country • Sir Joseph: I havo read it; and it shall bo printed with the other communications. -. Mr. Massey: Well, I listened closely and tail to .remember ;it. It must havo been very short indeed. I request that it should bo read again. The suggestion that the discussion might continue, for a while is soarcely fair to ; myself and others, for wo never had the faintest idea of the lino which would be taken up nor the nature of the proposal which would be submitted.- I proposq that the meeting should be adjourned now until 7.30. V ■■ : ;

Mr. Fisher at this stage remarked that in his opinion tho Primo Minister should give members a copy of tbo telegram .which' was sent to tho newspaper editors. He did not boo wiry Mr. Taylor's interjection on tho subject should deprive members of a know : lodge of its contents. It should, ho thought, bo printed along with the other documents. 7 . "ConfiUentlaL" Sir Joseph observed that he did not know how the message referred to by. Mr. Massey l]ad come to be published in tlio Australian press." Ho did not propose to remove "confidential" from any document. If ho were to begin to do sucli a'tMng, lots of people m this country would not feel very salo, for in the position which ho • occupied ho received communications on confidential' mattors from people-' belonging to every class in the community. If tho Houso wished him to remove the "confidential" ho would do so, but ho would not accede merely on tho suggestion of a member. • ■'.. .

Mr. Fisher: Was it not tho Prime Minister who proposed that the, Houso itself should remove the "confidential"?

• Sir Joseph: Oh, no. . Mr. Fisher: You said that you were going to ask tho House to do it.

Sir Joseph: No. Mr. Fisher: Mr. Taylor asked if the communication was going to be'read. Sir Joseph:' Not at all. Mr. Fisher: Well, those were the. words that floated over in my direction. ■•■ •Sir Joseph: I was referring to tho telegram,, nnd Mr. Taylor said: "I will read it." , Mr. Taylor: No. I said: Read it.

Sir Joseph: I went on to say, "All right." Thoro is_ nothing in the telegram of which 1 am afraid, either 'directly or indirectly. Mr, Taylor: Well, why did you mako it confidential ? .

Sir Joseph: I had very good reasons. Mv colleagues saw tho telegram before it was sent. Wo also have good-sense, and wo did what wo thought was right. What was wrong in tho matter was that one of the recipients referred to it in his newspaper. Mr. Allen: What was wrong about it was that you.marked it "confidential." Mr. Taylor said ho would like to ask if any of the cables marked confidential referred to tho Naval Conference, or whether they referred to that special matter which the Prime Minister had said the Government knew of when they made tho Dreadnought offer, also whether they referred to the question 'as to' who should represent the Dominion at tho, conference.

Tho Prime Minister, in reply, said ■ that ho would like to mako it clear, that tie Dreadnought offer was mado spontaneously and was not solicited by tho British Government. Tho Government had every reason to believe that its offer was justified, and was prepared to accept the full responsibility in regard to the matter. Mr. TRylor: Can't you tell us without disclosing tho details whether thcro was any reference to any grave matter still kept secret between tho Imperial Government and this Government, and whether there was any reference to the Prim'o Minister's personal effort to represent the Dominion? Sir Joseph: I decline to reply to that. (Hoar, hears.) It was then mentioned by Si'r Josoph that owing to tho men at tho Printing OiSco having left for their homes the documents whirh ho had read could not bo printed by 7.30. but they would be. circulated as early as possiblo in tho ovoning. The meeting then adjourned until 7.30 o'clock.