ABOUT PATRIOTISM

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 3, 29 September 1920, Page 8

ABOUT PATRIOTISM

LABOUR MEMBERS AND SAMOA PRIME MINISTER IN REPLY Probably all members but those occupying tho extreme Labour benches had some difficulty in recognising the member for Lyttelton (Ml - J. M'Combs) in the role that he choso to assume last night during a discussion on tlij; subject of indentured Chinese labour in Samoa. Mr. M'Comb9 spoko as an ardent patriot.

Mr. M'Combs's patriotism had its effect upon Mr. Massey. If ever a nmn in this country had soifcnl tho New Zealand flag, said tho Prime Minister, it wis the member for Lyttelton himself. What had ho done during the last five years? Had he ever said a word in favour of litis country? (Cry of "Shirker" and momentary uproar.) llad h;> ever 6aid a word in favour of the Empire? Mr. M'Combs raised "a point of order." He said that he did not want to stop Mr; Massey, but he wished to 'be assured of an opportunity of replying. He suggested that Mr. Massey was "pleading guilty." Mr. Massey rejoined that ho was not pleading guilty, He had done his duty during the past half-dozen years, and that was more than the occupants of tho Labour benches could claim to have done. He repudiated the suggestion that the New Zealand Government was using slavery for purposes of profit. Did the lion, gentleman know what slavery meant 4 The statement was absolutely contrary to fact. Samoa had been placed under the control of New Zealand, but Zealand did not intend to use the islands for its profit. Ho believed, however that thn possession of the islands would bo of benefit to New Zealand on account of the trado that would be developed with th.is country. Did lion, nwm'bers know that when New Zealand took possession of Samoa there were plantations there valued at JEI.OOO.OOO? Did they knovi that the ravages of the beetU, had increased enormously during tho war period, because the natives had J? 8 willing to fight tho pest? Did they know that an arrangement had been made for the time beilng to bring into Samoa a number of Chinese order to Testove the plantations to the state they had been in when New Zealand took possession? Everyone knew that When the plantations were iestored. and the wages of the beette checked,' the indenture system mild come to an end, and no more Chinese would be imported. He had saidl tha .over and over again, and he had meant every word lie had said. He did not admit that there was anything m the way of slavery. The men were brought to Samoa 'on the understondibg that thev would enter into an agreement for is rend and explained to them .by the British authorities before they leave Mr!" Parry (Auckland Central): Where is it finally sealed? Members: What does it matter? Reverting to the use that Mr. M Combs had made of the word "slavery, Mr. Massey asked whether there was not in t this country a system corresponding to that under which tho Chinese were indentured. What of the master and apprentice law, of which so much had been heard in the House lately? Mr. M'Combs interjected that that meant slavery. Mr. Massey rejoined that there was an instance of tho desire of the member to misrepresent matters. He could not understand all tho antagonism manifested towards the taking over of the Samoan islands. Was it patriotic? Every trtno the question had come up in the .House there had been a persistent fight against the effort to do anything that would.be of benefit, however 6mall, to tho Empire. Mr. Eraser: Cut out the indentures. Mr. Massey Teplicd thnt tho member knew the Government could not get the labourers unless it engaged them for ft term ■ Tho labourers were going, back at the end of tho term of their indentures. Time after titao since New Zealand had had control of the islands, Chincso labourers had asked to be allowed to stay beyond the term of their indentures, but he did not believe in it. The men should be sent back at the end of their term. As soon as. the country was able to do without indentured labour he would be glad to see the systern done away with, but the suggestion should not-be made by a member with nny intelligence that, anything m the way of slavery was going on 111 Samoa.

FISHING INDUSTRY OPERATION O*' THE ACT OP LAST SESSION. A question as to the amount.of money expended by the Government, under the authority oenferrod by the Pishing Industry Promotion Bill of last session was yesterday asked in tlie Legislative Couneil by the Hon. G. M. Thomson. Mr. Thomson obsorved that there appeared in the Imprest Supply Bill (No. i) the item Pishing Industry Promotion Ac-» count, .£SOO. He had been asked by a good many people to find out if he could what had been done under the Act of last session. He understood Mat several persons had made application under the provisions oi the Act, but that as yet none of the applications had been Bell replied that if the honourable gentleman would place his question on tho Order Paper at a subsequent sitting, he would endeavour to have the information asked for obtained. otagoTospitals INTERRUPTED DEBATE COMPLETED. Some Otago members have twice "tallied out" a recommendation of the Public Health Committee that the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Amendment Bill should be allowed to proceed. This Bill proposes to create a new hospital district by separating the southern part of the present Otago hospital district, and its opponents argue that the separation would be to the disadvantage of the city of Dunedin and of the Otago Medical School. The committee's report came before tho House again yesterday and was adopted after an amendment proposing to refer the Bill back to the committee had been defeated by 37 votes to 18. TEACHERS' INCREASES Replying to a question put by Mr. R. M'Oallum (Wairau) in the House of lieI preventatives yesterday, the Minister of Education (Mr. Parr) said that it would not bo possible to pay tho ttencheia their i extra money this month. He thought that the payment would be made with next montli's salaries. The delay would mean no financial disadvantage to the teachers since _ the payment was retrospective to April last. MASTER BILL The Master and Apprentice Bill was read a third time and passed by _ the House ' of Representatives last night, after Labour members had made a final protest against some of the conditions under which British hoys were lo be apprenticed to New Zealand farmers. Tho Primo Minister repeated a promise he had mado at the committeo stage, that the Attorncy-GeneTal would consider a general amendment of tho apprenticeship law before the Bill left the Legislative Council. The Legislative Council yesterday passed the Imprest Supply Bill (No. 4).