END OF THE SESSION
i_ ~~~- — ;.■'■.., THE CLOSING BUSINESS, t FAREWELL TO THE LEADERS : MEMBERS GOOD 'WISHES
I ' Jhe Legislative Council mot at 10 a.m..
yesterday. < SIR FRANCIS BELL (Leader of the I Council) moved the second reading : of the Public Health Amcndmc.t Bill, and whilst he was explaining its proI visions the Hon. W. Barnshaw asked I .where,people were to live if the provision ! as to the prevention of overcrowding wero < put into, effect at the present time. i Sir Francis Bell: It won't apply to I any oxisting tenancies. It would apply if ! the present tenants left and new tenant} ; desired to' come in. ..-•• The Hon. G. M. THOMSON said he '. would move that the Bill be read six .' months hence, as they had not.had time to consider it, and there were certain i provisions of which he did not approve, ;' It was "panicky" legislation,' brought :' down hurriedly by reason of the- recent I epidemic. They had not had time to j. learn the lessons of the- epidemic, let j. alone bring down such legislation as a t'result of it. Tho proposals were alto- • . getlier too crude. He moved as an ■ amendment'to the motion for the second '; reading that the' Bill bo read that day J six months. v ; . Board Proposal Approved. ! The .Hon. SIR WILLIAM HALL-JONES ; -thought they should give the Bill ( v their best attention. They should , at I' any rate pass the principal portions ot :' it. Certain sections could be postponed, i, but tho main parts ought, to be passed 1 now. He approved of the board proposal, I which was in operation in Australia. : Tho Hon. TE HEUHEU TUKINO !: suggested '.hat the full authority of the ! Maori Councils should be. restored to ; them in order that they might supervise i the good work of looking after the health ; of ; the Maori people. ■ : At this stage,-Mr. T/ioriison withdrew ;"his' amendment. The Hon. J. BARE considered ; that ■ the medical service should be national- ■ ised. He favoured the dropping of the ■ 'clause'relating to the erection of colonies 'of houses-as they did.not have sufficient time to consider it. .•The Hon. AV. H. TRIGGS said the ; Health Department had been tried and ; found, wanting because it had never ;» realised its proper function, which was .' that of preventing disease and not coping "with epidemics after they had been alI: lowed to get out of hand. Preventive i work should be carried on' in two direc- ; tioris.. First and most important; was ''•that of educating the public on questions ;'.of personal and public health. In the (Second place a "Thinking Department" Vshould be associated with the Health De- .. partment—something in the nature of the ; General-Staff connected with the Admir-
;.altyand War Office. If'there hnd been i, such a Department in operation in the ■■ past ample notice would have been given ;-of the epidemic,. and every preparation j could have been made beforehand to .''combat it. He was not blaming tiie offi- ; cers of the Department for what they i had done. It was impossible for the ; chief of the Department to inspect the of the Dominion' and to do ! .'all the routine' work which had been i placed on his shoulders, and at the same i time exercise that continued scientific i vigilance which was required from the. ; head of the Department. The chief ' reason why. he supported the Bill was .that it vraa a- step towards the reform of the Department; and would enable V-th'e creation of that scientific watchful- ;. ness which'was required more than any- ; thing- else. The creation of a board was • an excellent thing. He hoped the Bill . would be followed by the reorganisation i of the Department, 1 And the appointnient ;of a scientific expert, who would be able I to devote. the whole of his efforts, and I those.of his staff, to thinking out schemes !• of defence againct infection from overseas,'and to preparing a system of i educational propaganda on matters of,': hygiene .' and health. Money ;, spent', in tho. preservation of the health of the community was money well ■..-(Spent. , - The municipalities had also been tried and fopnd wanting. They had not '■ given as much attention to questions of ;j overcrowding' and insanitary conditions ;:. as- they ought to have done. "Within 'five minutes of this place," added Mr. : Trujgs, "there are slums to be found which- I do not hesitate to say would [ be. .a disgrace to the oldest city iii the 'i Old World." It was only by educating , public opinion that the municipalities -■could be compelled to act. If the muni- :; cipalities did their duty they would '.sweep-away the slums and make• better provision for the housing of the working .classes. He hoped that one result of the 1 Bill would be that the Department would rarrp on a very, vigorous educational campaign. Mr. Triggs. added that the Minister of Public' Health deserved every '. credit for the manner in which''he got to work:, to cope ...with the epidemic, but it '■ was too late." The .Department shotud '■■ have been ready to- meet the' emergency beforehand:' " : " ■ ' The ilons.';G. ,T.'Garland, W. Barni sfyaw, and C. "IT. Izard also spoke' in sup- , porf-bf the Bill. ■ ' ; . When the Committee stage wes reached an amendment was made to-the clause -dealing with, the constitution of the 1 board,.by providing that one of the mem. bers' -should br> the Dean ofr the Faculty !of Medicine at Otiigo University. The - clause previously contained .the words -. "Professor-Of Hygiene," but Sir Francis ! Bell explained that the Government was : not aware whether there was , such a ' position at the University. Labour and the Board. '■ Mr. Earnshaw desired to know whether . the. Government would' give fair repre- [ sentation to Labour on the Public Health Board. ; Sir Francis Bell replied that he could '■ not answer the question definitely, but : he had no doubt the Minister wouid give ■' the suggestion, his consideration. ; ■: An 'amendment was made to sub-see-;.'tioh"2 of clause G, providing for.the es- ; tablishment of municipal .by-striking out the words "a borough" : and making tho sub-clause read: "S'tiiuh i lodginghouses shall be contiguous to the working population for whom the same ■ are required, or to any tramway where ,-,such exists within the area." . *■' The clause relating-to the prevention of ; overcrowding was altered by providing • that it should 'become operative in July, , 31,1919, instead of February of that your. : The Hon. J. Ban , moved an amem jnent. that the year should be altered to :' 1921,; but this was rejected, i ..Clause 23, providing that a louse should ■ hot be used as a dwellinghouso unless j approved.by .thie district health officer, . was dropped. ; 7, relating to the erection of ' colonies of workers' dwellings by locai • bodies, was struck out, se/eral members ! pointing out that the question was really foreign to the Bill, and should be the subject of a separate and comprehensive :.Bill. . : Clause 15. sub-clause 3, was, on the motion of Sir Francis Bell, altered to i provide that medical officers should from. j lime to time, as required, furnish the 'local authorities with statements of the i patients attended by them, the local authorities to charge and collect for each attendance the prescribed fee. : Clause.29, providing for the making of by-laws by local authorities prohibiting the use of insanitary dwellings-, was amended by striking out the words, "and shall when ordered by the district health ■ officer. ,. As amended, the clause read, ; "Any local authority may make by-laws i prohibiting the use of houses or any ; class of rooms therein for human ha'bitation that in the opinion of the district I health officer aire unfit for such habita- ■ tion." -\ ' A technical amendment having been wiiade to clause 30, (ho. Bill was reported from Committee, read a third time, i-.id ; passed.
! "WASHING UP" BILL. " PROTEST AGATNST TOO MUCH i - ■ HASTE. \ Prior to going into Committee on the Reserves and Other Lands Disposal and - Public Bodies Empowering Bill — the ! "Washing Uβ" Bill—objection was rais-
Ed by the lions. C. H. Izartl and O. Snmiiel to clause- 41, which intended to give effect to a deed of family arrangement in the estate of tho late. C. .1. Jury. They contended that as the clause related to a privnto matter it should not be allowed to remain in a public Bill. Mr. Sanuiol said the inclusion of the clause was not only a breach of Standing Orders, but it was also contrary to the provisions of the Legislature Act. The Speaker (Hon. W. C. V. Corncross) said that at first glance he was inclined to uphold tho objection, but. he would postpone his ruling until later on. Subsequently the Speaker ruled that the clause was in the nature of a priva l 3 estate Bill, and should not bo included in the Bill under discussion. The cln'uao was struck out in Committee. ' . When clause 16, which provided for increasing the borrowing-powers of the Wanganui Harbour Board, in order that certain linrbour works might be proceeded with, was under consideration, protest was made by the Hon. R. Atoore against such important matters being included in a "Washing Up" Bill. Session after session the same procedure was followed, the result being that proper attention was not bestowed upon such matters. There was too .much haste in putting through certain legislation, and "another place" should be informed that tho Council was not going to put up with it any longer. That was the only way in which the practice could bf* stopped. Sir William Hall-Jones supported the remarks of the previous speaker. Other members also voiced a protest, but trusted that tho clause would be allowed to go. through. Sir Francis Bell pointed out that owing to the exigencies of the war the Government had had to pet urgent matters through, and no other course had been available than that to which objection had been taken. The clause was allowed to remain in the Bill, which.was read the third time, and passed.
THE RABBIT MENA.CE. SIR FRANCIS BELL, in moving the soVond reading of the Babbit Nuisance Amendment Bill, said that whether the rabbit nuisance was, or. was not, due to tlie great shortage of labour he was not going to express an opinion. . There would shortly be a disappearance of that difficulty, and the-men whose occupation was rabbiting would be able to resume that very sporting avocation. There was. no doubt that the rabbit menace had greatly increased. The work of destroy* ing the rabbits would have, to be done to the satisfaction of the inspectors, and a clause had been inserted providing that skins of natural enemies of the rabbit could not Be sold unless by license granted 'by an inspector. The Hon. G. M. THOSISON said there was a' very strong tendency in the country to farm rabbits,' and thus inter-' fere with the stock-raising power of the Dominion. 'The position was very serious, and the menace ought to be overcome. I The Hon. G. JONES was of opinion that the Bill would provide a satisfactory means of combating- the rabbit nuisance. . The Bill was reported from Committee without amendment, read the third time, and passed. , ■ LAND LAW'S AMENDMENT.
The Land Laws Amendment Bill was received from the House of Representatives. The purpose of the Bill was, in the main, to remove certain technical irregularities in connection with the renewal of leases and subdivision of small grazing runs. SIR FRANCIS BELL said the Land Act. litlS, hud scared land aggregators to a very considerable extent. The Minister of Lands thought that the present Bill would have the effect of creating a further scare. Under the clause dealing with aggregation, .which provided for the payment of compensation for land taken compulsorily, a man iright, acquire further land, but at the risk of having it taken from him some time afterwards at the capital value, The Bill was put through all stages and passed.
A LOCAL BILL. The Auckland Harbour Board, Devonport Borough Council, and Devonport Domain Board Empowering Bill was put through all its stages and passed. LICENSING AMENDMENTS. Amendments made to the Licensing Amendment Bill by Governor-General's Message, which were agreed to by the House of Representatives, were approved by the Council. APPROPRIATION BILL, \The Appropriation Bill .was received from the Lower House at 8 p.m., and was put through all stages and passed. REPRESENTATION AT PEACE CONGRESS. Prior to the adjournment, SIR WILLIAM HALWONES' said he thought it desirable that the Council should wisu bon voyage to the two leaders who were about to leave to take part in the greatest meeting tho world liau ever seen. They woulu do great work.'not only for l\ew Zealand, but for the Britisin JMupire. Germany should be made to pay for the cost of the ,var. Altnough they did not always agree with Mr. ' Jiassey's poncy, 'yet they could only wish .him and his colleague a happy . voyage and a success! ul mission. He moved: "That the Council desires to join wita the House ol Representatives in expressing to the Prime "Minister and thfa Minister of Finance theu , sincerest good wishes, for >a fair voyage to the Old Country and a happy return, and assure them of the continued confidence of Parliament in tlieir representation, at the Peace Congress, of this Dominion.," .
The Hon. J. BAKR seconded the motion. He said he hoped the leaders would work to see that justice was done to thoso ivho had been guilty of such terrible crimes during the war. He joined with Sir William Hall-Jones in trusting that tlie mission of the two leaders would bo a happy ono, and one that would re'sult in benefit to the Britain of the south.
The Hon. J. B. GOW also added his support to the remarks of the two previous speakers. The yew members of the Council desired-to extend to the (envoys their cordiaPgood wishes and prayers for the success of their mission!
Tho motion was carrjed amidst ap. plausc.
At 11.30 p.m. the Council adjourned. In moving the adjournment SIR FRANCIS BELL said the session had beon an eventful one. They were entering upon a new era, and if he was permitted to remain in Parliamentary life he would look forward to a return to the old political fights which he hud enjoyed in the first three years he had been Leader of the Council., Ho lioped they would again be free and be able to play the political game as politicians should play it. Now that his term of appointment was nearing its end, he could look back with feelgratification to the fact that he had never had a difference of opinion with any member which lasted longer than the brief period of the .interlude.
The Hons. G. J. Garland, T. MacUmbon, J. Ban , , 0. Samuel, and Sir AViiliara Hall-Jones expressed their thanks for the great courtesy which they had always received from the Leader of the Council, and congratulations wei;e also extended'to the Speaker (the Hon. W. C. 1?. Carncross) on his having been ap- • pointed to that office. • The Speaker thanked the Council for their expressions of confidence, and the officers of the House for the assistance they had always rendered to him. THE HOUSE "WASHING UP "BILL. The Deserves and Other Lands Disposal and Public Bodios Empowering liill came up for consideration at I a.m. on Tuesday morningAt 2.3(1 a.m. a dispute arose, in Committee over clause 11, giving- effect lo a family arrangement in the estate of C. J. Jury (deceased). Mr. G. Willy (Hicearton) contended that the clause was really a private Bill, and that the estate, therefore, should pay fees to the extent of .£SO to Ihe General Assembly Library. He moved a new clause providing for the payment of this sum. The Prime Minister objected, and after
some, discussion Hie C'ommilloo took tho ruling nf the Speaker. TUe Speaker said lie thought Hie clause was ii private Hill. Mr. Massoy dissented, and after some discussion the question was referred to a coininittec, which decided that the clause was not n private Bill. Mr. Witty's motion to strike out the old use was defeated by -10 voles to 9. .
At ;l a.m.. Mr. G.'V. Pearce (Patea) was protesting against a clause increasing the borrowing powers of.tho Wanga.inii Harbour Board by .£150,000. Hβ said Hint the rat.-payers ought not to bo saddled with extra burdens in such a manner. He considered that the expenditure of harbour boards was not sufficiently scrutinised. Mr. C. A. Wilkinson (Egmont) supported the objection. The prop ed increase of borrowing powers had not been dismissed adequately in the district concerned. • Mr. W. A. Veilch (Wansanm) defended the increased expenditure, which was duo to increased cost of materials. The ratepayers would be consulted. , A division at 3.1!5 a.m. resulted in tho clause being retained by 31 votes to 20. Mr. Pearce said he would persist in his opposition. The clause was unfair to a nortion of his district, which was being saddled with n heavy additional burden of debt.. At 4.10 a.m. another amendment, moved by Mr. Pearce, was defeated. Mr. Pearce said lie would not nersist with his protest, birt would raise tho question in the district. The Hill was read a third time and [ passed.
A LOCAL BILL. The Auckland Harbour Board and Devonport Domain Board Empowering Bill (Mr. A. Harris) was read ii second time, put through its other stages, and passed. PUBLIC HEALTH AMENDMENT BILL The Public Health Amendment Bill was reported from the Special Committee «,ct up 'to consider it, the report being presented at 4.30 a.m. on Tuesday. When the Bill came up for consideration, ' Mr. G. WITTY (Eicoarton) made a very brief protest against the passage of such a Bill at such a time. Mr. J. P. LUKE (Wellington North) -aid' that it would have been more fair to the, House had the Bill been- introduced earlier. If the .Minister had •inch severe strictures on the City of Wellington as he had on other centres, he 'Mr. Luke) would have had a great deal more to say. He ■would not oppose the Bill. If it would help the local bodies or other, authorities, then the Bill would be a very good measure. The Bill was committed at 5.15 a.m., and reported four minutes later. On the motion for the third reading, Mr. P. FRASER (Wellington Central) congratulated the Minister on the Bill. It wns true tbnt ttie epidemic had not attacked only fhe shim areas. But the slum areas were breeding grounds for diseaise. The conditions on Te Aro flat wero a dirept menace to tho people of Kelburn. Experience all over the world showed that good housing conditions meant a reduced Ueatb-rate. The importance of the housing problem in Wellington had been realised for years.. Schemes had been ■proposed and pigeon-holed, but they had never been put into effect. Nothing had been done to check the density of houses. In Te Aro flat there were 29 houses to the acre. . A member: Scandalous. Mr. Fraser said that a good Bill would bo of no avail without good administration. He suggested the National Government should provide the money to carry out a proper housing scheme.
The Hon. Dr. POMARE thanked the white people of the Dominion for the service they had rendered the Maoris during the epidemic. He wished to put on record the Maori's appreciation of what the pakeha had done for him in a time of stress. Mr. H. E. HOLLAND (Grey) said the most important Bill of the session had been brought dowli under conditions that made adequate discussion impossible. The defect of the Bill was that it did riot provide for the national organisation ot 'the medical profession. The workers of New Zealand would applaud the Bill, but they would not be satisfied until they had a scheme that went much further. > The Minister of Public Health thanked the House for its assistance in getting the Bill through. The Bill was read a third time and passed. SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES. The Supplementary Estimates were brought down. Mr. H. G. Eli (Christchurch South) protested, against tlie proposal of the Forestry Department to carry out a process of .demarcation in the forest reserves. He said the idea was to cut out all the big trees and so spoil the reserves completely. He asked for an assurance that the process would not apply to scenic reserves. The Estimates were completed at 6.10 a.m. . j APPROPRIATION BILL. The Appropriation Bill was then introduced and put through Committee. At 6.45 a.m. the Speaker left the chair until midday. LICENSING BILL. The House met again at 12 noon. The Licensing Amendment Bill was returned to the House by the GovernorGeneral with amendments. ' The PRIME MINISTER explained that the amendments were of little importance, and he proceeded to give the House details. The only amendment of any meaning was one intended to make provision for the compensation of country hotels, situated in town districts, on the more generous basis allowed for compensation of hotels in the country. It was pointed out that country hotels were mostly situated in town districts.
Mr. B. M'CALLUM (Wairau) urged the Government to allow the twelve districts now under No-Licenee to go on taking polls on tho question of whether licenses should bo restored or not. The Ht, Hon. W. F. MASSEY said that it was impossible to provide for those districts in this Bill, although ho admitted in some degree the justice of the request. Mr. Isitt; We shall have a complete and satisfactory solution next April. ' LOCAL BILLS. The PRIME MINISTER moved, and' it was agreed, that local Bills already before the House should be allowed to proceed next session from the stage reached this session without being again advertised. \ BILLS FROM THE COUNCIL. The Speaker resumed the chair at 2 p.m. Messages wore received from the Legislative Council reporting that the Rabbit Nuisance Bill, the Land Laws Amendment Bill, the "Washing Up" Bill, and other measures had been passed by the Council. There was, however, an amendment to the "Washing Up" Bill; it was some little time before the deadlock on this difference of opinion was loosed. The Prime Minister stated that the Speaker of the Legislative Council had ruled that Clause 37 of tho Bill, dealing with the Jury Estate, «was out of order, since it wns a private Bill, and had not fulfilled the necessary conditions.
Ifc had taken advice on the point,' and thought it advisable to abandon the clause. The House, accepted the Council's amendment. Housing Plan Abandoned. The MINISTER OF I'UBLIC HEALTH said that the housing clause had been struck out by the Legislative Council. This clause providing for home colonies, with eiimmunal facilities, hud been rather a signpost than a definite proposal, and he would not object to its deletion. The other amendments made by the Council did not destroy the general efl'ect of the Hill, and as lie recognised there was no time for conferences, he would move that the amendments should bo accepted. Mr. Russell added that he believed it. would lo mi excellent thins if Ministers were able to meet, the members of the other Cli"inber and explain their Jiills. Mr. V. KRASKRiinoved an amendment objecting to the. deletion of the housing clause. A constructive policy of housebuilding was more valuable, even than the plans outlined in the Bill for flic removal of insanitary homes. The Minister should at least insist on a conference with the other Chamber. The amendment was dofeated by 25
votes to 21, and the amendments made by the Council were uuccptcd. Appropriation Bill. The Speaker resumed the chair at 1.15 P 's\'.K. JOSEPH WARD (Minister of Finance) moved that the Appropriation Hill be: recommitted in order that Clause -HI be struck out. (This clause has to do with the right of a teacher to be classed in a higher grade if his school should, unless transferred in the meantime, rise r increase of attendance to a higher grade. The clause was u technical one, dillk-.ult of comprehension to those not informed of the rules governing the payment of teachers' salaries.) Tho MINISTER OF EDUCATION (the Hon. "J. A. Hanan) protested strongly against the cutting out of the ch\u-e. Tie declared that the House was bein» dominated by the Legislative Council, aim he added with much vigour, "I shall have something more to say abo.it this on another occasion." Several other members supported tho the Minister in Ms protest. SIR JOSEPH WARD, in reply, said that he was advised by the Attorney-Gen-eral that the clause was one which ought not to be in the Appropriation Bill, and he felt that he could not jeopardise tho Bill. Unfortunately the. Attorney-General had not, been able to attend at. his offico regularly in recent weeks, and this was the reason why tho change had to be mmlo at this stage. The clause was deleted. On Ihe motion that tho Bill bo read a third time.
Mr. E. P. LEE (Oamaru) mentioned the demand of the raihvaymen for improved pay and conditions. It appeared to him that in the main the requests of tho men were reasonable, and he hoped they would bo granted. Mr. Lee said he disapproved of the Four-Minister Tiexpatriation Board. But ho would work with it,to the best of his ability, and he hoped it was going to do its work in a prompt and effective way. Mr. ,K, A. WRIGHT (Wellington Suburb's) said that' he disapproved of tlie way in which important legislation had been put through by means of belated Gov-ernor-General's Messages. Members had been required to accept proposals they had not read and scarcely understood. The House had very little control over the Executive. Its sole rein was the control of , Supply, and he would draw attention to the fact that Parliament had been required this session to vote Supply until the end of the next year. The House would have to reassert its control. Mr. Wright mentioned the hardship suffered under present conditions by retired Civil Servants on small fixed pensions. He congratulated the Government on its proposals for generous treatment of returned soldiers.
Mr. ,T. M'COMBS (Lyttelton) expressed' approval of the new scheme of payments and allowances for soldiers. Mr. G. WITTY (Riccarton) said' the Minister of Defence had come well out ,of prolonged controversy over the treatment of the soldiers. , Mr. R. M'CALLUM_ (Wairau) also congratulated the Defence Minister for having made to the soldiers important concessions rendered possible by the Minister of Finance. He. warned the country against the growth of a spirit of militarism. It was going to be a difficult problem to get all the soldiers back.ikto civilian life. They had absorbed rtw habits. Tiie Bill Passed, At 8.35 p.m. a message was received from the' Legislative Council to state that the Appropriation Bill had been passed, , PARTING COMPLIMENTS
GOOD-BYE TO LEADERS THE GREATNESS OF THEIR MISSION. Mr. J. COLVIN (Biiller) submitted to the House the following resolution: "On the eve of the departure, of the Rt. Hon. W. F. Matftey, Prime Minister, and the Rt. Hon. Sir Joseph Ward, Minister of Finance, to represent Mow Zealand at tho momentous and historic Peace Conference, this House desires to extend, to them its most cordial good wishes for a prosperous and successful mission, and ft safe return It has the fullest assurance that in their sagacity, statesmanship, and devotion to duty, not. only will the interests of this'country be adequately safeguarded, but that in the part they take they will be animated not by narrow selfishness, but by a desire to advocate the principles of justice. and lay the foundations of what is fervently hoped will Ire the greatest hope- of a lasting peace." Ho expressed his own good wishes, and his own opinion that New Zealand would be well represented at one of the greatest conferences the world had ever seen. (Applause.)
Mr. J. M'COMBS (Lyttelton) said he seconded the motion all the more heartily J because the leaders wero going Home on] this occasion under happier circum- ( stances than in tlie past. The war I clouds had lifted. Tlie two loaders were going to take part in world-shaking deliberations, the most, momentous conference ever held by Ihe nations. They we.ro going to sharo in the final repudiation of militarism as the governing force of national policy. On the decisions to be reached at the Peace Conference would depend the future progress and happiness of mankind. The great ideals of Dr. Woourow Wilson were to com« up for consideration, and the representatives of New Zealand would be privileged to , slmre in laying the foundations of world-justice and worldpeace. He joined most ' heartily in wishing the two leaders a pleasant voyage, a successful enterprise, and a safe return. Justice Without Vindictiveness. _ SIR JAMES ALLEN said the two Ministers would go away with the more confidenco after receiving an expression of opinion from all parts of the House. The great issues that .were to be decided were full of meaning for New Zealand. He lioped that justice would be donejustice without viiulictiveness and without weakness. If individuals had done wrong they must receive justice at the J hands of an international'tribunal. If punishment was deserved, it should be meted out, so that generations to come might know that military crime could not go unpunished. Ho knew there was a feeling growing up in New. Zealand that the military spirit was wrong, and that the military man was not to be allowed, to be a great: factor in the life of "the. future. Let the people remember that New Zealand's soldiers wero but civilians wearing uniform, for a brief period in order that they might defend their country. Let not the nation forget how splendidly the citizen soldiers had performed their great work. It was
a proud boast that New Zealand's sons stood in the forefront of Hie. Empire's armies. He hoped that New Zealand was going to continue to breed, not militarists, but citizen soldiers, ready to take up arms if the call came, and to light worthily in their nation's cause. The Future. He hoped peace had come for all time. But he feared that in years to corne New Zealand might have to prepare for another war, nearer her own doors. He hoped the leaders would not forget that for the British Empire the Navy was everything, and that the seaways of the Pacific had to be kept open. He trusted the .delegates would take the kindliest messages to the N?\v Zealand boys still at the front. He had no doubt Mr. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward would take their part worthily at the council table of the nations. He prayed they would be guided aright, and that the Dominion also would bo helped by the Divine Power through the difficult days that lay ahead. He hoped to see party politics put aside ior the next six months in the interests of thesoldiers. Sir James Allen wished the departing' Ministers every comfort and success on their trip. ' Our Little Country. The Hon. Ci. W. IiUSSELL said that as ii Liberal Minister in tin? Cabinet he wished to join in bidding fjirt-wcll In the .Ministers who were to represent New Zealand at the prral- -nniVraiiT in Europe. After long trials ihere l.ad coma at last pence, and this groat conference was to be held h> determine the basis of the future pence nf lhe\ world.The record of New Zenland, liitic country as it is, was a wonderful record. Lf.ss than a hundred years had passed since the'first ship sailed into the v,,lcr.s of Wnitemata. Only seventy-eight jours ago the Treaty of Waitangi was signed. And yet this little country had seiit to fight
in this win , as many men as were commanded bv Wellington at Waterloo. But for all our ready acceptance nf the I;ul '' dons of war, Iliiipeople of New Zealand were not warlike. Above all they wanted peace. He hoped that our repiesi'iit.rcivea would return to. find their country hi'l.py and prosperous. And let us in the r-oud moment of victory remember those tor wliuin the price of victory had been so The Hon. J)r. POMARE spoke, on Minister representing the Native nice, and opened hi* roniiirks with a passage of Maori legend, translated afterwards -into the most elegant tnghsii, enriched with the imagery ot tho ' Native race. He expressed the hope that never again would any lolynesian race over be put under the rule of tho Hun. For 73 years the Maoria had not been under the rule of the British, but taking p.ui in ruling themselves. By such bonds was the structure -of our Empire united, ami so it would always happen that our house would .stand. Last of all Dr. Pomnrc wished the travellers "bon voyage, kia ora." , Mr. A. HA KIfIS (Waitemala) also wished the Ministers "bon voyage." He hoped they would be abie to assist in framing a just, righteous, find lasting poixcc. At this stage ihe Speaker left the Chamber in order to carry the Appropriation Bill to Government House, and the chair was taken by Mr. A. S. Malcolm, DeputySpeaker. A Returned Soldier. Mr. Malcolm invited Mr. W. D. Stewart. (Dimedin West), as a representative of Koldier members of tho >:ow Mαlund Parliament, to speak to the motion. Mr. W. J). STEWART said he was a very junior member of the House, and while he did not yield to any in his good wishes, he could add little to what had been said. He knew that tho ineii at the front would look forward with eagerness to the arrival of the two delegates, and would watch with interest New Zealand's i-hsirc in the great Peace Conference. The
two Ministers had difficult work before them. They had to strike a happy mean in their representations, remembering the importance of New Zealand's objectives, and at tho same time tho relative sniallness of the Dominion among the nations to be represented at the peace table. They could senrcely forget that New Zealand had a vast debt, which she ivever could pay, to the Mother Country, who had • given protection and aid without condition or return. He joined iii kindly wishes to the two Ministers. The resolution was carried with heartiest applause. i Ministers' Replies. The Rt. Hon. W. 1\ MASSEY was loudly applauded when he rose to reply. ; lie thanked all the speakers for their ■ good wishes, assuring them that the good wishes were appreciated exceedingly. He need not assure members that if he 1 could exercise a choice he would preler ! to remain in our own country and attend to the tasks at hand. But their 1 duty called them to this great C'onfer- ; ence, where it would be their proud privilege to represent this wonderful ' little country. It would never be his j desire lo magnify the part played by New Zealand, but we must not forget
the 100,1)00 men who had gone from this land to fight the enemy, and we must never forget the 15,000 of our fellowcitizens who would not return, the men whose bones' lay in alien soil. The achievements of the New Zealand Ariuj were such as to give cause for pride. Our Great Nation. And we could properly be proud or the great achievement of Britain in this war -the growth of the Army from an insignificant force to one of first magnitude, and the ceaseless watching of IkNavy. The people of Britain had spared no effort in working to maintain those great armies, and in these heavy tasks men and women shared the burdens. They had seen the British
people in the hour of trial, but never did thoy show a trace of tear. Always there was confidence that in this great war as in all-, others Britain would win the last battle. There were black sheep in every flock, and there were bad Britons, but he believed that the British race was second to none. He was proud that he had the honour to be a British citizen. . All were slad now that peace had come, and it would be the duty of all the representatives at the Conference to make it,. impossible for a long time for any other nation to disturb the peace of the world. He hoped they would not be vindictive, but he did hope that we would obtain jns- / lice, and that we should be able to secure the punishment of some—if not all the persons—who had been guilty of the crimes which Had shocked tho world in this war. .(Applause.) Mr. Massey said, in conclusion, that thoy were on the evo of an absence from New Zealand of five to six months. But in view of the good work that had been done in the session just 'closing they felt (hey could go away with confidence that the'afi'airs of this country were to be in good hands. He lioped and believed I that when they returned they would i find (lie affairs of our country prosperous He could assure them all that whilo Sir Joseph Ward and himself were
on the'.other side of the world their thoughts would be with their friends in the Dominion of New Zealand. SIR JOSEPH WARD al.'o thanked tho mover of the .motion and the members who had- spoken to it in such kindly terms. He said that with Mr. Massey he recognised tho enormous responsibility that New Zealand's delegates earned. He .was not egotistical enough to believe that the presence of New Zealand delegates at tho Peace Conference war, indispensable. But he did believe that the Dominion ought to be represented, that it had a duty to perform in the negotiations that were marking the close of tho war. (Hear, hear.) One duty.was to help in drawing closer.the bonds of Empire; another duty was to see that the immutable principles of justice were applied to the criminals who had planned a horrible aggressive wnr. He hoped to see the aggressors paying the penalty of that crime for years to come.. Tho war had put great financial burdens on New Zealand. That weight of indebtedness ought
not to be on the shoulders of a young I country; it should be borne by the defeated enemy. . The tost of the war to Britain and her Allies had been ,£25,000,000 000. The annual interest charge on that sum would be '.£1,250,000,000. The enemy should pay. Thfllosers always had to pay. He did not believe that British people were vindictive. But they were not going to be swayed 'by false .sentiment after the horrible struggle of tho last four'and a half years. He joined .i-m, flincn who wpvß nrvimr for the ex-
tradition of the Kaiser. The arch-cyinii-nal should receive the punishment that a fair-minded jury would Award him. Sir Joseph Ward paid a tribute to the work of tlie United Kingdom during the war. The wonderful resources of the United Kingdom had made the victory 1 possible. The fruits of victory were now lo be allotted at the Peace Conference. ; Great Britain -was not looking for territory. New Zealand was ;iot 1 looking for territory, although her delegates would oppose any attempt to aeturii the Germans to the Pacific, lint , the nation wrinted justice, freedom, and assured peace. There was no need now ' to talk about taking the German Navy. ■ The British nation possessed the Ger-'
man Navy. The great German battle fleet hurl followed a .Uritisli warship into a Hritisli harbour, and it rested there now. Those ships were not going back to Germany, lie hoped to see some of them under the British flag in the Southern Seas. Sir Joseph Ward paid a tribute to New Zealand's soldiers, who had made name and fame tor their country, and had well earned the recognition that the Dominion was giving them. Some of the (lads had died, but they had not died in vain, lie hoped the day was not far distant when, with all shipping and transport troubles cleared awny, the relatives of the fallen would be able to
visit noble graves and see the ground on which their boys had fought and died gallantly. The resolution of the House would cheer -Mr. Mussey and himself en I heir way.. He thanked his colleagues in the .Ministry foi , their cordial and kindly co-operation. Good-hyes and—the End. The Prime .Minister, in his closing re. 'murks nbuiit the work done, said that the session had been » short but very fruitful one. lit , congratulated Mr. Speaker and the Chairman of Committees on tlwir successful conduct of the business of the House. He thanked the iillii-crs of Ihc House and the Hansnrrt stall , ! and all who had to do with liie work of Parliament, in this very strenuWard also thanked
the Speaker for his services to tho Ilouse during troubled times, ami his faithful discharge of his iiuportmit duties. He thanked the Chairman of Committees (Mr. A. S. Malcolm) for his courtesy and assistance, and the officers of the House fur loyal service. The Speaker returned thanks briefly, and wished the two Ministers success in their mission. Mr. Malcolm also thanked Ministers and members. The House sang "God Save the King," and adjourned finally 10.15 p.m.
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Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 65, 11 December 1918, Page 6
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6,861END OF THE SESSION Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 65, 11 December 1918, Page 6
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