THE HOUSE.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1924, 5 December 1913, Page 4

THE HOUSE.

NAVAL DEBATE CONCLUDED,

: Tho, debate upon tlio Naval Defence Bill in the House of Representatives did not conclude until 3.8 a.m. yesterday. AVlion.' The Dominion went to'press the Bill had been reported from Committee, with one minor amendment relating to tho gazetting of regulations and their presentation to Parliament, and the third reading debate was in progress. Somo of the Oppositionists who had not spoken in the second reading debato did so at this stage, and others put on record amendments which they had moved in Committee, and their reasons for voting against tho Bill.

Mr. NCIATA explained that he and other members of his party had voted against tho Bill because, from Ministerial utterances and'indieations in tho Bill itself, they considered that the Government, intended to establish a local navy during tho lifetime of tho present Parliament.

■■' Mr. P. 0. WEBB arguol that it would ho bettor to pay a largerly increased subsidy towards the up-kcep of the British Navy and rely upon its protection than to organiso. local defences cither on land or-sea. . Tho Hon. J. ALLEN, in replying, said tlia{. Mr. 'Webb was one of those who ''believed--in paying somebdy elso to do tho work of defenco for him Ho did not" believe that kind of proposal would bo acceptable to New Zoalandcrs as a whole. - Tho third reading was agreed to by 32 votes to 15. YESTERDAY'S PROCEEDINGS. . Tho House mot yesterday at 4 p.m. "Tho Hon. F. M. B. FISHEB gnvo notice to-introduce the Harbours Amendment Bill. The Labour Disputes Investigation Bill, in charge of tho Prime Minister, was read a first timo without discussion.