THOSE CONFERENCE MOTSONS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 991, 5 December 1910, Page 8

THOSE CONFERENCE MOTSONS.

NO TIME FOR DISCUSSION. THE PRIME MINISTER EXPLAINS. During an interval in tho proceedings of the House on Saturday, Mr. J. Allen revived tho suggestion that the House should be given an opportunity of, discussing tho motions to bo submitted to tho Imperial Conference by Sir Joseph Ward. He remarked, that it-was regarded by-many outside Parliament and beyond New Zealand that nothing had been dono by the House to educate public opinion on the great Imperial questions that were to bo discussed by the conference. • Sir Joseph Ward said there would not be timo now for any adequate discussion of the motions. The best way to educato the public hero and elsewhere on Imperial matters was to havo the press represented at the conference, and this was proposed in one of the motions which lie .was to submit, and of which he had given notice. He pointed out that the resolutions of tho conference would all como before the House afterwards, and would be open for full discussion. Mr. Masscy said it would be bettci 1 not to discuss the motions at all than not to do so properly. One day would not be sufficient, and the present occasion was unsuitable. He regretted that no opportunity, had been given for a discussion at an earlier stage of the session. Mr. Allen asked if the Prime Minister would submit a motion regarding tho New Hebrides question at the conference. Sir Joseph Ward said it would have been bad form to give notice of the motions before New Zealand had received an invitation to the conference, and that was only received recently, lhe motions could not have been put before the House so as to givo a fortnight to the discussion, unless it had been the last fortnight. Mr. Massey said tho subjects could ;iave been discussed without being put in the form of motions. Sir Joseph Ward said the subjects could not have been dissociated from the conference, and it would not have looked well from beyond New Zealand. He could not give notice of motion about tlio New Hebrides. High international questions between Britain and ■Franca , were involved,' and only the Homo Government should bring the matter up. Ho would forward any representations to tho British Government, who would no doubt bo glad to consider them and placo something before the conference. LOYAL RESOLUTIONS. CONGRATULATIONS OF PARLIA- ' MENT. Sir Joseph Ward moved in the House on Saturday afternoon: , That this House desires to record its respectful- congratulations to hia Majesty tho King on his Coronation, and to express the hope that the reign of his Majesty and Queen Mary will be a long and happy one. Sir Joseph Ward said that tho Hoiiso would not bo in session at tho timo of the Coronation, and it was both right and customary that such a resolution should be passed aud conveyed to his Majesty. * This motion and another ono to ask the Governor, to forward tho first to tho Secretary of State for the Colonies were passed without discussion. s LOCAL CELEBRATIONS. POSITION OF PUBLIC BODIES. When the item "Coronation Expenses, £1000," oii the. Supplementary Estimates was reached in tho Hpuse on Saturday, Mr. J. Allen asked for information. The Prime Minister stated that the Appropriation Bill proposed to make it lawful for local bodies .to spend money in connection with tho celebrations in New Zealand. This method of - voting accounts from timo to time would bo carried out.. Ho assured Mr. ; Allen that the Government-would take proper precautions to seo that there was no waste. The previous Coronation cost the country something like £11,000 (including contributions to local bodies). Mr. Massey hoped that none of the ; money proposed to be expended would be used; for tho benefit or glorification of privato persons.