SPEECHES IN PARLIAMENT

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 33, 2 November 1918, Page 8

SPEECHES IN PARLIAMENT

THE HOUSE ADJOURNS VIEWS OF THE PARTY LEADERS. When tho House of Representatives met yesterday tho Prime Minister (Bight Hon. \V. l< , . Massey) saici Hint he intended to movo that tho House should adjourn until Tuesday next to mark the lmport'ance of the news that had been received from the Imperial authorities, announcing tho signing of an armistice between the Allied Governments and the Government of Turkey. "I feel certain, he said, "that every member of the Jiouso and every citizens of tho country will feel as 1 do about the news that has reached us to-day. (Applause.) Mr Massey then read tlio cablegram received by the Governor-General trom tho Secretary of State for the Colonies. The message was received with applause by the House. "If tho terms are not unconditional sur; render, they aro very little short ot it, added Mr. Massey. "By yielding us a sccuro passage for the fleet through the Dardanelles and the Bosphorus to the Black Sen, and by giving up possession of tho forts of the' Dardanelles and tlie Bosphorus, the Turks are giving the Allies an advantage that I am sure we shall hold until satisfactory terms of peace are arranged. (Hear, hear.) This has been a long war. I think that few of us,, when Lord Kitchener said that wo wero in for a three yoars' war, believed that the struggle would continuo for that length ot time. But wo wero now in the fit tit year of tho war, and the end is Dot yet. Jiut we have reached tho place where ■Wβ can say wo are certain that a decisive victory will shortly bo gained, a victory that will secure tho peaco of the for a very long time to come. "In every part of the Empire to-day the events of the last few days are being celebrated. From every British ship tlie ensign flies at tho masthead, and I have no hesitation in saying that tho events are worthy of tho reception that is being given to them. 'Ihe events wo are watcnuiK aro some of the most important events in British history; 1 can go further'and say that they aro some of tho most important events in the history, of tho world. They mean that civilisation has been saved, and I beliovo saved ior Anzacs for Gallipoli.

The Primo Minister stated that he had' that morning cauled to the Imperial authorities posting that Anzacs should bo sont to garrison he Dardanelles (Applause.) Ho said he felt sure the House and tho country would agree- with him that this was an honour the Anzacs • had undoubtedly earned. In the illfated GaltipmT campaign the men of New Zealand and Australia had proved themselves to be'soldiers second to nono in tho world, and it would bp a fitting recognition of tho deeds of tho gallant dead that the ground on, which they had. fought should be garrisoned now. by their old comrades in arms. (Applause.) "I think 1 am. justified in telling Parliament on this occasion," continued tho Prime Minister, "that whe?*ho Minister of Finance and .myself were in England on the first occasion, wo took an opportunity at an, official gathering, held to consider the possiblo events that are taking place to-day, to suggest that when terms of; peace were discussed with Turkey, an earnest attempt should be mado to secure for tho British Empire the control of tho Gallipoli Peninsula. I liavo no doubt that what we suggested then and what was agreed to will be brought before the Peace Conference in whatever form it may take, and will be brought up in the negotiations between the British Government and the Turkish Government. I trust that it will be agreed to. It would bo nothing less than sacrilege if-the Turks were , allowed to press tho dust where lio the romains of our gallant men. We want Gallipoli, and when I say 'we' I mean tho people of New Zealand and Australia. We want to make Gallipoli what it should be, the Mecca of the British people in the South Pacific. Tho ground is sacred to tho memory of our men."

Through the "Dardanelles. Over one hundred years ago, in 1807, a'.British fleet passed through tlio Dardanelles. It was not opposed on its entrance, but it was attacked by the Turks on the return voyage, and then suffered severely. Again in the fifties an Allied fleet-British and French-passed through the Dardanelles. Now a third entrance had been made. A Britisli fleet'had entered the Dardanelles at G o clock that morning. The gate to tho lilack Sea was open again, and he believed that it would never be closed in the years to come. Mr. Massey paid a tribute to wiin T k i Ot W American troops, who, though arming late in the war, had proved themselves gallant fighters and had assisted to bring about the victory that was now being realised. Ho mentioned the splendid patriotism of tho people of 1 ranee, who, in the face of a vk ; ??• ln T ader and of extraordinary difficulties, had fought with whole-soul-ed determination for freedom and right Hβ could never forget what he had seen Himself of tho labours of the French people and particularly of the French women, who did the work in the factories and tho field while their men held the Hun at bay and gradually turned tho lido ot war until the defeat of the enemy became assured. '- Tho chivalrous people of Italy had also played n great part and it seemed now that tho breaking up of Austria had begun, and that completo and final victory was going to be attained in the immediate future on tho Italian front. The Priino Minister paid a tribute also to the Maoris. Over 2000 of Ihe Maori men had gone to the front to take their part in tho great struggle and they had proved themselves as good fighting men as any in the New Zealand Division—and that meant as good as any in the whole British Army. The native peoples of the Pncilic Islands had also sent their men freely and gonoronely, and though they had not always been able to withstand the rigours of the European climate they had fought and died as gallantly as any other soldiers of tho Empire.

Japan's purt in tho war also required acknowledgment. Tho work of tho Japanese lighting forces was apt to escape attention, because it had not l>een done on tho battlefields of Europe, but on the highways of tho sea. But the people of tho Empire, and particularly tho peoplu of Australasia, ought to roaliso that throughout tho war Japan, had played the game and played it well. Japan had never hesitated to do her full duty as an Ally of Great Britain. If she had failed, and if she had chosen to range herself against tho Allies, the position of the British Dominions in tho South Pacific would lmvo been terrible indeed. They would not have been ablo lo send iv single soldier, abroad, and th«y would not luivo boen able to maintain their communications neross tho sens. But Japan had proved n bravo and loyal Ally. and 1 think that it is," added Mr. AUssey. "1 do not thiuk any man in any

part of the world envies tho Kaiser the position in which lie and tlios«\ associated with him arc placed to-day. History repeats itself. History is repenting itself now. The writing is on tho willt lor the rulers of Germany, as it was for the Babylonian King who received the dread -warning, 'Thou art weighed in the balance and found wanting. . The war is not finished yet, but J. have no hesitation in saying that it is on the eve of being finished, and on an occasion like this citizens of the. Empire should remember the Higher Power that has guided us and hoe directed us as peoples, as an Empire, and as individuals, during the four years of war that we have experienced." I

"It is quite true that enthusiasm passed away after the first year or two. Hut we can ,s«y. that enthusiasm was succeeded by stern determination on the part of British citizens to see this war through to a satisfactory and successful end; to see—aiid I believe I urn correctly 'interpreting tho feeling of British people and their allies-Hint peace when it conies, and I do not believe that it is far away, will bo worthy of the sacrifices we have made, worthy of the men who have died for our cause, including -over 15,000 New Zealand soldiers. The peace must b,e worthy of the dead, worthy of tho parents who have sent their sons to light in the Empire's cause, worthy of the wives who have sent their husbands. I think I. am right in saying that in this country more thnii 12,0011 married men, most of them volunteers, have joined the I'orces and taken their ; part in tho 'Empire's battles." In conclusion, Mr. Massey said that he fell, strongly that tho terms of peaco ought to provide for reparation as far as the enemy was able to make reparation, and for punishment for tho crimes that the enemy had committed. Me did not speak of events on the battlefields, but of the other crimes that were fresh in the memories, of all British people. There must bo punishment and reparation, and there must bo also a suliicicnt guarantee that Gormony would not bo allowed to disturb tho peaco of the world again. A Day of Emancipation.

•Tho Minister of Finance (Sir /Joseph Ward) said he 'believed most of the people of New Zealand felt that the day was a day of emancipation. (Hear, hear.) Tho world was being freed from tho threat of an unemy who had started out with tho belief that might was right—an enemy who had been pwpared in a ruthless way to strangle the smaller nutioiis, to dominate the Continent <f Europe,.to make an entry into the "United Kingdom, to cross the Atlantic and eventually become tho ruling Power of tho world. Germany's war had been the result of the ambitious schemes of men who from birth had been trained, os militarists, who had mi'.de up their minds that in every direction the civilian power must bo subordinated to the military .power. If the scheme had succeeded the people of. tho British Empire would have become the serfs and slaves iof Germany. There was not tho least doubt that part of tho German plan had been the annexation of New Zealand and probably also of Australia. That intention had been made quite clear. In March last, when the German armies were expecting to capture Pai'is and the Channel ports, the present German Secretary of State had said plainly that his 'country was not going to bo satisfied with the return of its Pacific colonies. Germany intended to have- a good deal more, and it was easy to guess that tho prizes the enemy hoped to seize included tho British Dominions in tho South Pacific. Sir Joseph Ward said ho was proud to know that some of tho inon who had taken part in the war wore members of tho House. (Applause.) Members from both sides of tho House had taken i p arms in the Empire's cause, and many other members had been represented at tho front by their sons. Ho paid a tribute to tho women pf ( tho Empire- for tho great part they had played in bringing victory within roach. Their courage, steadiness, and self-sacrifice had made possiblo the work that hud been done, and was .still to be done, by tho men in tho field. A striking feature of tho news received that day, he continued, was that a British fleet had entered tho Dardanelles. It was the British Nn.vy that had made it possible for tho Allies to attain tho position . of supremacy they now held. Tho full story of what the men and the ships of the' Navy had done could not yet bo told. When it was told it would touch tho imagination of the world. It would bo a tale of courage, resource, and untiring effort that could not bo excelled in any of tho pages of history.

Britain's Part. "Let us not forget what Great Britain has done in this war," added the Minister of Finance. "The United .States, which arrived lato in tho war, has rendered assistance. But it is to the old Motherland chiefly that wo owe- the emancipation wo are commemorating today. The Motherland in tliueo years raisud, equipped, and trained 6,000,000 6oldiers from anions the men of her population; No other country in the world could equr.l that effort. We are proud that the Old Country was able to do it. Sho has displayed strength and resourced unparalleled. She lias provided munitions and money not puly for herself and her Dominions, but for her Allies. Sfie lias made it possible for Italy and the Balkan States to keep in the war. She has been the barrier against winch German efforts have broken. "■Wβ have seen Bulgaria climb down, we have seen Turkey climb down, and now Austria is desirous of getting terms of peace at any price," said Sir Joseph Ward. "What is the cause of that? The strong right arms of our soldiers and our sailors, and tho education that has been given to the people of Austria and Germany by this war. The Austrians are determined, as I believe the Germans are, that the old idea of hereditary nionarchs ruling their subjects must givo way to the democratic idea of tho rule of' the people. These remarks do not npply to tho monarchy of the British Empire, in the United Kingdom and tho Dominions to-day wo have as true a system of democratic rule as is possessed by the United States or by France. We have a King who acts on the advice of a Government that is responsible to tho people. Wo havo. a King and a Queen who, since the beginning of the present war, by their remembrance of the lowly and of the sick and wounded, by their devotion to duty, have shown the true spirit of democracy. If the King of Britain had to submit himself to the vole of tho peoplo, he would have an overwhelming majority.

The Workers. ■ • "Without' iho workers we could . not have won lliie',war. All over tho Empiro in tho ranks of the men who havo volunteered to tight in our causo are those who have very little of the world's goods. They havo gono away under great disadvantages, and I want to say that when this war is over—and Ido not want to raise a note of discord—the industrial position will require to be faced by men of all classes to. ensure to _ sensible common-sense workers a recognition of tho service they havo rendered to the Empire as a whole." In conclusion tho Minister of linnneo said lie had never felt so proud ns he did ihat day. He believed that the news received that mining marked the beginning of au early end of the war. The peoplo of the Empire wero entitled to regard tho news with' pride and happiness, but they would not forget at the same time fo remember with sorrow and affection tho sacrifices mado by the men who had fallen in the great cause.

\ A Labour View. Mr A IT Hindmarsh (chairman of the Labour Party) enid that like everybody else ho was. glad that Turkey had surrendered. Tho noivs gave ground for hope that peace would soon bo eeenred. But while he agreed with, most of the things that tho Prime. Minister and the Minister of Finance had enid, he felt that on finch an occasion tho discussion should bo in a subdued and serious tone, and I hut it was a mistake for the nation lo give 100 much attention to reciting its own virtues. "If I his war is to be of any use it must to some extent alter our outlook'on life," eaid Mr. lliudinarsli. "Shakespeare made ono of his characters eay, 1 will mako war breed peace, and t' will mako peace stint war.' Those words showed that Slwkcspouro had considered the problems that were facing tho world to-ilay. Yet hundreds of years have passed, and the world does not seem to be much better. I think that on this occasion wo should register vows inwardly that wo will bo patriotic. Wo should mako up our minds that wo will do

something to make our country happier and better. Our time has come for we who have stayed at homo to bo soldiers too, and to say that wo will make the inheritance for.which our men have died a bettor inheritance for. their 'children and our children. "It has been said that peaco has its victories. Peace, unfortunately, has its sacrifices also. Wo all know before tho war the cynical and beastly tone that permeated many of the English newspapers. Their, wero people in England tryin<* to bring about the peaco that we all talk so much about now. The Labour Party in England, and even tho Labour Party in Germany, to some extent tried to bring about universal peaco. It is true that wJien tho war l>cgan they, like other men rallied round the banner ot their country. Still they did try. Who wero the men who prepared this war and nourished the warlike spirit? Not the working men, but the rulers of tio people, who say that they have a right to rule and tho wisdom and education to rule, and that therefore rule should be placed in their hands. They were tho men who brought about the conditions that enabled the war. to begin.

After the War. Mr. Hindmarsh said he hoped that tho sort of peaco the nations needed would not be left to fate to bring about. Men and women would have to bring it about, and he hoped that they would faco tho problem in an earnest spirit. The greatest sufferers by the war were tho noor.".lhoy were the peoplo on whom the burden ot tho war fell, and they were the peoplo who found their way finally into the trenches. The horrors of war fell upon tho poor in every country, and ho honed that after the. war was over it was going to be considered a disgrace to a country to let any fairly decent man go hungry or workless. The world required to bo made comfortable for the majority of the people. In tho meantime tho leaders of the people ought to preach humility. "We know that we have not done properly and that K'nghuul has not done properly," said the member. A member: Question. Mr. Hindmarsh: My loyalty compels mo to rav it. I hopo that the world is going to Ijo made a better one, and that the people who now shout when they hear of great victories like this will bo patriotic and devote themselves to their country, because that is what patriotism means, in order to make the country a better place for the majority. of the people to live in.

"The Stalematers." Mr, J. Payno (Grey Lynn) said that the present was no timo for the discussion of the causes and beginnings of the war. lie spoke as a representative <f tho people who had answered without hesitation the call of tho Empire when the war began. The workers had ample reason to fight on the side cf the Allied in the present war. They were fighting for tho right to carry on in their own way and carve out their own destinies under tho British flag in democratic fashion. When he had heard of tho surrender of Turkey that morning ho hud thought, "What about the stalematers now?" There was not going to bo any stalemate. ■ The actions of tho Kaiser in this war had been akin to thoso of a clever criminal. He had plotted carefully, but he hud made a mistake. Hβ had failed to realise that tho "contemptible little British Army could. grow into an army that would I onish him. This was no time for lookino- backward. It was a timo. for looking forward and realising that tho common danger had created aliew brotherhood and new lines of thought. It had provided tho basis of an era of happiness and prosperity. Tho peace must be a duraWo one Germany must make neparation to tho utmost farthing. She must learn that nover again would the world tolerate such boasts being lot looso on society. The Maori's Part.

•Sir James Carroll (Gisborne) thanked the Primo Minister for his rcferenco to tho work of tho Maori soldiers. Ho said it would not bo surprising if during tho next week or two, there would be more good news. Gradually the Allies were breaking down the resistance of the Contnil Powers. They were whittling away the countries that had made, tho mistake of supporting Germany. Ho believed that the Germans wqtild attempt to hold out over tho winter in tho hope- of making better terms with tho Allies, .but he thought tiiat the experiences and suffering w of the Allied Powers would prevent them making tho mistake of conceding much to the beaten enemy, Tho victory that was being won was not merely a victory for the British Empire and tho Allies, it. was a universal victory, a victory for humanity. Sir James Carroll suggested that when the. time came for peace discussions with Germany, the Native races of the Empire should be represented at the Peace Conference. . .It appeared that the basis of territorial sottloment was going to bo self-deter-mination for all peoples, and tor that reason the coloured races ought to have a voice in the arrangement .of peace terms. . i. . New Zealand's Division.

The Minister of Defence (Sir James Allen) said ho endorsed all that had been said by the Mine Minister and the Minister of Finance. He was proud to know that the Maoris and the other native peoples of the South Pacific lied come forward voluntarily and gladly to take a share in the struggle. .Hβ did not suppose anything had done as much as, the war had done to cement the relations between the native races of the Pacific and the Empire. It had been a revelation to find the men of tho native races Hocking to the Empire's standard. He did not think the House had misunderstood Mr..Hindniarsh. Ho felt with the leader of tho Labour Party that ftt this time the nation should havo a fair share of humility. Tho nation had suffered terrible losses, and it had enormous tasks still before it. . He hoped sincerely that the ' world waß going to be a better world for the sacrifices that had been mado during the last four years. But at the same timo the news that had como that day provided real ■reason for joy and thankfulness—thankfulness for the heroism of tho armies for the gallant sacrifices of .the men who had died, for the unshaken loyalty of tho nation in the face of a'danger that was passing. Ho was glad to know that the Prime Minister had suggested that Anzac troops should be allowed to garrison Gallipoli. And in recognising tho deeds of the colonial troops, the House ought not to forget the deeds of the British troops at Gallipoli. The groat 29th Division ouglrfto bo mentioned with the Anzacs. (Applause.) Thu Minister added that the Now Zealanders ha* done their duty in every field, they had made a good name for themselves wherever they had gone, and they had enhanced their country's reputation' throughout the world. Tho soldiers of New Zealand had gained no fewer than 3740 war distinctions. Thosi! honours and distinctions meant much to tin , people of Now Zealand and to' those who would inherit them. Tho end of the war was not yet. But ho had no doubt the people who had done so mucTi would firm to tho end. The i\'ew Zoalaml Division had always been supported by tho knowledge that it had Iho people of New Zealand behind it, ami that it would bo supported freoly and fully right to Iho end. Ho believed he was correct in Kiying that the record of the Now Zealand Division was a-s high, and possibly higher, than that of any oilier unit on tho West front. It had come to his kuqwledKO from outside sources, from Imperial officers, that tho New Zealand Division was looked upon as being Iho • best storm troops on tho West front, and that any corps commander would give his eyes to havo them in his corps. (Applause.} Ho said this becauFt! it was right that the people of Now Zenland should recognise tho part that their , own country had played in tlie war, in all humility, and yet with joy and thankfulness. Ho was sure that tho people were going to continue supporting tho division to J lie pud. Tile end was now certain and sure.

The Peace Conference, Mr. J. T. l\l. llornsby (Wairai'apn) suggested that us soon as possible the Prime Minislm , and Sir Josopli Ward should return to the Old Country to take part in tlio peace negotiations. "They should get back again as speedily as any vessel can take them," ho remarked. Jli! felt m> strongly on llio jjoint Hint ho urged the Ilouso to support the proposal. The Dominion should "Bo represented at thu earliest possible moment. They were, on tlio ovo of still greater things thnn were, happening Uwlay.' A crisis had oncurred, but a still greater crisis was near at hand. Tic had made a suggestion,' and ho believed that the. people of tlio country would support it by demanding tho presence of its ropresontatives ill tho councils of (ho Empiro in

the crucial negotiations which were pending Tho proceedings terminated with members rising and singing the National Anthem and "Praise Uml From Whom All Blessings Flow."

Legislative Council Jubilant. The Legislative Council was in no mood to transact ordinary public business, and the suggestion of the Leader of the Council, Sir b'raucis Hell, Unit an adjournment should be made until Tuesday, was received with expressions of approbation, "i do not feel myself to-day at all lit to do anything more than tlio business which has just fallen upon us, and J. feel that it must ))e so with other honourable gentlemen," said the Lender of the Council, Sir Francis Bell. Jle proposed, therefore, that the Council should adjourn until Tuesday. "We do not even know onicially that the Allied Heels have passed the .Dardanelles," he added, "although we know it unofficially. What we do know oflicially is that some days ago, on the request of Turkey for an armistice, tlio Imperial Government and the Allies determined that an armistice, if granted, should be the equivalent ot capitulation." The terms of capitulation of Turkey would be decided not at Mudros, but in Paris. I/or some days the Government had sat in a somewhat enforced silence, knowing that the Fleet was assembling at iludros to pass the Dardanelles. "I do not like to talk of the. British Fleet," added Sir Francis Bell, "1 should think the Fleet is. composed more'of Allied ships than of our own. Our fleet is probably belter' occupied. What X want honourable gentlemen to recognise is that it ie not merely the passing of this historical spot that we wish to commemorate, but wo have, every Black Sea port closed. Tlie enemy no longer has access to the food supplies that camo through Asia Minor, or from the Black Sea ports. I have no doubt thaj; the next resting place of tho Allied Fleet will be Odessa. Part of what J. am saying may be apocryphal, but what I am saying has been in tho minds of those who knew that an armistice might be granted upon, the' conditions which liavo been reported. The result will most probably bo that in a few hours what I have said will have been accomplished. Wo have the Black Sea coast, we have the channel of the East in our hands, and we have the game in our hands." (Applause.)

"It is CI years, yes, it was in March, 1851, since the French fleet passed through the Dardanelles," interjected the Hon. Colonel Bnjllie.

"My honourable friend, whose memory seems to go back to,the day of the Deluge, saya that it is 04 years since the French fleet passed through the Dardanelles," said Sir Francis Bell, amidst enthusiasm and laughter. "History is being made to-day, the history of the world is being made as it itever was made before, no, not since the days of Alexander.

Voices: Not then. Sir Francis Bell: I hardly what comparison to make, perhaps the better comparison is with l Marathon, when the civilisation of the world was saved from incursions from the East. I have no right to talk; I came to make a formal announcement, But I urn a Ncw--Zea-lirader as well as a Councillor, and a Councillor as well as n. member of ihe Government-^voices: And we are proud of it, too)—but I have said wo aro not. fit to do any more work to-day. 1 feel ive are too exultant to deal with tho minor petty matters of local concern. I move that wo do now adjourn.-" The motion ivas immediately approved of, and the Council adjourned until Tuesday.