THE ADDRESS IN REPLY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2755, 8 July 1924, Page 3

THE ADDRESS IN REPLY.

SPEECH BY MR J. LINK LATER

IN SECONDING THE MOTION.

In seconding the motion of the Address-In-Reply in the House on Tuesday last, Mr J. Linklater, * member for Mnnnwatu, expressed regret at the retirement of VTS COUNT JEI. LI COE who has lieen ihe distinguished head of tlie Government • as GovernorGeneral of this country since 1020. He has taken a keen interest not only in the official duties pertaining to his office, hut also in the life, pleasures and sport of the people of the Dominion.' When he departs he will take away with him the good wishes of the whole of the people of New Zealand for his future prosperity and happiness. Amongst the measures to lie introduced which will be most acceptable to the House and the country is the proposal to further

REDUCE THE HEAVY TAXATION the Dominion lias been called upon to bear during the war period and since the signing of the Peace Treaty. While it must he admitted that our burden-is not greater than Hint borne hv many British states, it entails heavy charges on the community which hamper the trade and progress of the country generally. For several years the people of the Dominion have borne with uncomplaining courage the tremendous burden of local and natonal 'taxation. The taxes of this country must now be reduced as far as prudence will permit; and expenditure kept within reasonable dimensions. I read recently in a book edited by Shaw Desmond, the opinion of Philip Snowden on “Production and its Relation to Wages. 7 ’ He says: “Production is the basis of the whole economic and financial system. . It is the only source from which wages can he paid. Increased output may benefit capitalists, —it probably will, lmt without increased prodiu-iiuii the workers will go on riding the merry-go-round and go! off where they started. ’ It is my opinion that high taxation stifles production and the sooner we recognise this important fact the better it will he for those engaged in the work of production in New Zealand. High taxation reaches everywhere and burdens everybody. It bears most heavily upon the poor; it diminishes industry and commerce because it makes agriculture which is the mainstay of the Dominion, unprofitable. * The country is crying out for reduction in taxation; and I hope this lion. House will agree to the proposals of the Government in this direction. I hope taxation will be placed on the shoulders of those best able to bear it. IMPERIAL AND ECONOMIC CONFERENCE. It is a-matter for deep regret that what must be regarded as one of the most important conferences yet held between the Dominions and'the Mother Country, at which N.Z. was so worthily represented by our Prime Minister, will be fruitless in results owing to the change of government in Great Britain. The decisions of the Imperial and Economic Conferences having been practically unanimous, it is to be deplored that so many recommendations have failed to secure the approval of the British House of Commous, more particularly those dealing with the establishment of a base at Singapore, and the resolution in favour of granting very limited preference to the Dominions'with a view to encourage trade between the Old Country and the outlying portions of the Empire. II is now generally recognised that in any future clash of arms the countries or islands of the Uacitic are likely to be most seriously involved. The abandonment of the SINGAPORE BASE

appeals to bo a very serious blow to any system of defence decided upon by the Dominions because we lely on the .Navy as the tirst line of defence both for ourselves and our trade routes, upon which depends the very existence of our commercial life.

The Imperial Conference recognised the special deep interest of Australia, N.Z. and India in the provison of a .Naval Base at Sugapore, vision of a .Naval Base at Singapore which was regarded as essential for iu guarding’ the territories and trade ox the Empire m Eastern waters and along the great route of the East through the,Mediterranean and Bed yeas. Without a base, similar to the one proposed at Singapore it would be impossible for the larger vessels of the .Navy to take part.in any ac-

tion in these waters, it is to be k hoped that the abandonment of tbis L scheme is merely temporary and that in spite of the sale of the plant at Singapore the preparations for the construction of this most iinpor- | taut naval base will be put iu baud • again at no distant date. VISIT OE IMPERIAL SQUADRON. The visit of the Squadron will be A long remembered by the people of this Dominion, it has quickened the imagination and added to the enjoyment of the huge crowds who visited the troopships. These great ships are not built for aggregation, they have been built in order to keep order on the high seas and exist just as the police force .exists on laud "to guard ihe trade routes of the Empire.” They are the safeguards ot the world’s peace, —not its memace, and they are protectors in -these far away islands of the Empire. In connection with the visit of the Imperial Spuadron, it may not be out of place to mention what is being done by the trustees of the E.Z. Sheepowners’ indebtedness to (Continued on page 1).