Changed Places.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 September 1922, Page 4

Changed Places.

DREADNOUGHT offer AND ITS CRITICS. (Lyttelton Times Correspondont.) WELLINGTON, September 19. Is there a parallel between the Ward Government’s offer of a Dreadnought in 1909 and the Massey Government’s offer of a contingent to servo in the Near East? This point arose in the course of debate in the House, alien Mr Sullivan took occasion to quote Mr Massey, as Lender of the Opposition, to support the Labour Forty’s present objection to an offer having been made without consulting Parliament. The Prime Minister replied that there was no parallel, and his critic should produce the division list. Mr Sullivan ictorted, amid laughter that he would quote what he wanted. Mr Atmdre later in the evening asked Mr Massey if he was now prepared to condemn Sir Joseph Ward as lie had in 1909 for making the Dreadnought offer without consulting the House. , , , Mr Massey: There was no division, Parliament unanimously confirmed what was done. . Mr Atniore suggested that the former leader of the Opposition condemned the method of the gift, hut did not call for a division, approving by his silence what he condemned in his speech, Mr Massey : You were not there. I knew what took place. Aon do not. Mr Atmorc replied that “Hansard” provided a record passed by Mr Massey of the statement Mr Massey made in June, 1909. condemning an unconstitutional the action of Sir Joseph Ward, yet last Saturday* he found it desirable to do what Sir Joseph Ward bad done, to anticipate the approval of Parliament. Would the Prime Minister now say he approved of the method of giving the Dreadnought? Mr Massey: You cannot get at me by cross-examination. I will state my own case and it will convince the House. Mr Atniore: I was going to quote you as leader of the Opposition to justify you in looking ahead as Sir Joseph Ward did. The member for Nelson went on to quoite Air Massey’s speech in the Dreadnought session as follows: —“liesides the question of whether the Government was right or wrong in the offer they made to the Imperial Government of a Dreadnought, or two if required, there is the other question of the intense importance whether the Government was constitutionally right in submitting the offer in the manner in which it wrs submitted, that is to say, whether they were right in submitting it without consulting Parliament. They were not right in passj ing over Parliament.” \ Hon. W. Nosworthv: It takes two I years to build a ship and three weeks to send men. | All-Atniore : I wish to give the Prime Minister 'credit, in common with Sir Joseph Ward, for having anticipated the wishes of the people of New Zealand in making the offer, which was so useful. I put him on the same pedestal ; >s Sir Joseph Ward. Air Edio thought that Sir Joseph Ward’s offer of a dreadnought and the Prime Alinister’s offer were parallel. The Prime Alinister had not given the House the full contents of the cable lie had received and probably when Sir Joseph AVard received advice from the Imperial authorities lie deemed it advisable not to spread the contents abroad. At that time war seemed imminent and be was satisfied the gift of the ship stopped war for the time being. ATr .McCallum suggested that Air Atniore bad not raised the question in a party spirit, but because it was desirable to extract lessons from the past However lie would like the Prime Minister to state to what stage he would extend the life of Parliament if there was a war. Air .Massey bad followed a good guide in Sir Joseph AVard and it was to be hoped that Parliament would unanimously confirm it. He was surprised that the Prime Alinister did not franklv own up that lie made a mistake in 1909. Air Afassey : T moved no motion. ATr Af’Callutn : T know all about it, ‘T confirm but I do not approve.” A[r Alassey during bis speech in reply said lie was sorry the point bad been raised. It was intended to discredit him to some extent, but be could put up with it. Anything lie would say was not a reflection on a former Premier, but in self defence. AATiat happened in 1909 was that a special session was called to make arrangements to allow Sir Joseph to attend the Imperial Conference. Prior to that session the dreadnought offer was announced. He did not object to giving a ship, or half a dozen if wanted, but the position was ably put by Sir AA'illiam Herries at the time. Tie said that for the executive to take action without consulting Parliament was not justifiable if there was no crisis at the time. Afr Ar’Cnlliim : AA’bo is the judge of that? Afr Massey: Each man mußt be the judge. Mr Af’Calhim : The executive only. AA r e took your judgment on Saturday, but you did not take Sir Joseph Ward's The Prime Minister: Because you know our judgment was right. Ho added that lie did not go back oil bis attitude of 1009. He was then Lender of the Opposition, and did not call for ft division, being quite satisfied to lot the people of Britain believe that New Zealand was united. Air Forbes : So they were. Mr Afassey: Exactly. That is the whole point. That is all that’s in it.