PEACE TREATY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 2024, 4 September 1919, Page 3

PEACE TREATY.

DOMINION RATIFICATION.

LABOUR OPPOSITION,

On Tuesday afternoon the Prime Minister (Right Hon. W. F. Massey) sought the consent of members of Parliament to the ratification of (he Peace Treaty with Germany. The debate was notable principally for the speeches of New Zealand representatives at , the Conference. Two Labour members —Messrs Holland and Fraser —spoke against the ratification of the Treaty; and their expression of views Avas replied to by. Messrs E. Newman and ,T. M. Wilford. A feAv minutes after 11 p.m. the ratification motion Avas passed. 9

Mr E. Newman (Rangilikei) said the vast majority of the people were entirely satisfied Avith the Avork that had been done by Mi* Massey and Sir Joseph Ward at the Peace Conference. He did not believe that ever again Avould the British Empire permit Samoa to pass into the hands of an enemy. It would lurve been better to linvc had Samoa under the control of the Imperial Government, and he hoped that the . mandate might eventually become an Imperial mandate. The creation of the League of Nations Avas a tremendous step forward. The hopes of the civilised Avorld Avere centred on that League. The acquisition of a share in the phosphate deposits of Nauru Island was a matter of great importance to New Zealand. .The farmers had learned the value of phosphates, but the price had risen year by year. He hoped to hear soon Avhat the price of the Nauru Island phosphates Avould bo in the Dominion. Mr NeAvman said lie hoped Mr Massey was right, and not Sir Joseph Ward, in regard to the prospects of reparation from Germany. The Germans could not pay the cost of the Avar, hut they should be. made to pay till they could pay. It Avould be just and reasonable to ask Germany., to replace the ships sunk by Germany in this Avar. The brave men Avho had gone down in those ships could not be replaced. The services of the mercantile marine had been beyond praise. He considered that the Peace Conference bad been one of the greatset events in history. New Zealand had been ably represented at that Conference by Mr Massey and Sir Joseph Ward, and these gentlemen bad earned the thanks of the New Zealand Parliament and the Ncav Zealand people. Ho hoped that the peace would be lasting, and that the world after its years of trial would enjoy a period of happiness.