THE HOUSE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3129, 6 July 1917, Page 6

THE HOUSE

FIRST READINGS. The Political Corruption Bill (Mr. Payne), the Unregistered Nurses' Registration Bill (Jlr. Payne), the Gas Act Amendment Bill (Mr. Payne), and the Napier High School Empowering Bill (Mr. Brown) were introduced and read a first time. ADDRESS-IN-REPLY THE MEMBER FOR PAHIATUA A FARMERS' ADVOCATE '■ Mr. G. H. SMITH (Pahiatua) at 7.30 moved: "That a respectful address lie presented to His Excellency in reply to .aio EaieUoncy's Speech." First oj: all

he congratulated the Governor-General on his recent elovatiou in status, which had been described as a signal mark of Hoyal favour. He thought it should bo esteemed an honour to New Zealand, and ho believed that it would bo of great value to this country when the time came for the voice of the representatives of New Zealand to speak in the councils of tho Empire. He congratulated the' Prime Minister and Sir Joseph AVard on their safe return from a perilous journey. Their visit to tho. Old Country had been of great benefit to tho Empire, for their presence at tho War Cabinet must have been of real assistance to tho rulers of the Empire, especially as there wero no representatives present from Australia. Even had they done no more than make the business and financial arrangements which had been part of their concern their visit to England would have been justified.

On tho question of preference he said that undoubtedly preference would be a good thing for the Dominions, assuring to them a good price for their produce. But it seemed to him that preference must mean dearer food in Great Britain, and before it could be adopted by the British Government, the statesmen of England must consider whether it was of more impjrtfjice to Britain to secure her food supplies within the Empire, or to get her supplies in the cheapest market.

The National Government. He had been informed that he would bo expected to say something pleasant about tho Rational Government, and it had been suggested that he would find this difficult. On the contrary, lie did not find it so at all. The National Government, formed by union of the two great parties in the House, was the only Government that could possibly have done justico to' New Zeidand in the war. ■Wo had trained and equipped a great force of men and transported them to the seat of war without loss of life. This was a great achievement. Ho congratulated tne Government on this great success, and ho congratulated the members of the Government on the loyal maimer in which the spirit of the agreement had been kept by them all. Without the support of tho people they could never have done so well; but most of the people of this country were just as steadfast as the Minister of Defence himself. . The National Government had tho approval of the people of New Zealand. Since last session there had been three by-elections, and every one of tho new members was a supporter of tho Government. He did not mean to say that the Government had given complete satisfaction. As a matter of fact, there never had been a Government . which had been - more criticised and abused from end to end of New Zealand. ' Previously the criticism of the Government came from one party only; the members of the Government party, used to go round apologising for the Government. He expressed approval of the idea oi the early closing movement, believing that it was growing in strength because of the increasing seriousness oi temper of the whole population. The financial situation of New Zealand was, ho said, highly satisfactory. There was to bs a local loan in New Zealand this year. Fortunately, there was money ready waiting in tho banks. If the banks were to hand over ten millions to the Government as a loan there, would still be more left in the banks than there ever had been prior to the war. He hoped that the Finance Minister would not find it necessary to reimpose tho excess profits tax, but i? it had to bo re-enacted he hoped that some very ne-< cessary amendments would be made ill it. .

Farmers' Affairs. He criticised adversely the butter-fat levy as an unfair tax on a poor section of the community. Ho would counsel the Government to give the levy back to tho people who had paid it. (Cries of "No. ) Me had fears for the future of the butter industry. It appeared that most of the factories would have to manufacture cheese, and to ensure that this cheese could be safely held nio Government should set to work at once to provide the necessary cold storage. The factories could not do it for themselves because they could not get the machinery, but he was . led to believo that the Government could get the machinery by cabling for it. Hitherto tho factories had not. provided cold storage for cheese., Considerable quantities of it were lying now in store waiting shipment.

A voice: Going rotten. Mr. Smith: 'iles, going rotten. Dr. Thaclu-r: Way nui leu suuie of the people eat it? Mr. Smith:'l'm not stopping them. (Laughter.) I presume the honourable member means to say that the people should be allowed to eat some of the cheese which is not rotten. (Laughter.)

He discussed the problem of settling soldiers on laud. He was of opinion that the Government should introduce legislation not to encourage the cutting up of large estates for settlement but to compel subdivision. He suggested that the Land Settlement Act might be a useful measure for the settling of soldiers in groups. Regarding pensions he was of opinion that the present scale was too low. :

How Many More? His last remark was about our. obligations to the Empire in men.' He felt that it was time that the Government took the House into its confidence on this subject. (Hear, hear.) He felt very strongly that New Zealand had done particularly well, and that we should now, decide whethea' our reinforcements were to be mantained at' the present level or reduced. He admitted, of course, that all other considerations must be subordinated to the task in hand—that of. winning the war.

Seconder of the Motion. Mr.-D. BUDDO (Kaiapoi) seconded the motion. He congratulated the mover and welcomed him as a supporter of the interests of the farmer, lie agreed that there' had been serious anomalies in connection with the excess profits taxr- Tho new system of taxation he expected to see introduced this session would improve matters, though he feared that any system at all would present difficulties. The New Zealand farmers had no great cause for complaint up- to the present time, Their products had been moved with remarkable regularity until quite recently, and though the accumulations of foodstuffs in the stores in recent months had caused anxiety, he hoped that the submarine menace would bo removed and shipping made available in the not distant future. He commended the good spirit shown by the people of New Zealand in connection with the Military Servico Act. He would, like to 6ee New Zealand become self-supporting in tho matter of loan expenditure. The financial burdens of the Mother Country were enormously heavy, and the Dominion should not add to them if it could be avoided.' The Now Zealand banks were holding a great deal of money,.and many luxuries ought to be taxed heavily. Hcferring to shipping matters, Mr. Biiddo said that the companies were not responsible for the shortage of tonnage, but they had bled the producers. The charge for carrying a bale of wool from New Zealand to London had been increased from 19s.' id. to £3 15s.

Dr. Thacker: What is the bale worth? Mr. Buddo: "That has nothing to do with the question." He advocated a farmers' shipping organisation. If shipping did not come along before the end of 'the year a heavy burden would he placed on the financial institutions. The farmers' agencies would have to carry a big share of the burden, and the Government should place them in the same position as the banks with regard to London exchange. Ho congratulated the members of the National Government on the work they had done under very difficult conditions. They had made mistakes, but the number had not been as large, as in the case of other Governments. Deferring to returned soldiers, he said the Government must not stress too greatly the provision of land for the soldiers. Very many of the men would not want to become farmers. Arrangements should be made for 'the purchase of estates. He thought the findiiirj of work for returned men should l>c placed in the hands of local committees. Many of the men were discharged too soon. The House rose at 9.30 p.m.