NEW MEMBERS SPEAK

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19988, 13 July 1939, Page 5

NEW MEMBERS SPEAK

MILITARY TRAINING ATTITUDE TO COMPULSION ‘OCT AC ON AL AM EXD M E N T ’ (Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. The continuation of the Address-in* Reply debate in the House of Representatives' yesterday gave their first opportunities to two new members, Mr. J. M. Allen (Nat., Hauraki), who gave a very sincere speech thorough - lv covering the main political questions and; adding support to. his party’s advocacy of universal military training, and Mrs. C. Stewart (Lab., Wellington West), who received an attentive and appreciative hearing for the excellent effort in which she expounded the Labour Party ideals, stressing the advocacy of peace. The Government attitude towards military training was expressed by Dr. D. G. McMillan (Dunedin West), who ridiculed the former compulsory system and asked his opponents it they were prepared to support the conscription of wealth in a bill which would also impose a capital levy. He feared that they would not conscript something less valuable than life. Noting that the no-confidence amendment has eight paragraphs, Dr. MdMillan laughingly suggested that only som'eone who had lived in Dunedin could have evolved an octagonal amendment. It was much like a circle and the Opposition Leader appeared to be moving in circles. Twenty-eight speakers have been heard and there is still a long list awaiting the opportunity.