PARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9466, 8 June 1909, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE

SIR JOSEPH TO GO HOME, THE QUESTION OF ADJOURNMENT. Per Press Association. Wellington, June 7. The informs.! meeting of members of Parliament to consider the representation of the Government at the Imperial Naval Conference and whether Parliament should adjourn to enable the Premier to attend, was opened at 3 o’clock. Every seat in the House and galleries was occupied by members of both Houses. Having stated that he would not ask for the appointment of a chairman, but would himself preside, Sir Joseph Ward explained that he had called members together in the only way possible under fhe circumstances. ■ Members of the Upper House had been invited to be present, not to cake part in the general discussion/ but to hear what had to be said and then consider the matter separately. Until a decision was arrived at as to the adjournment of the session, it was impossible to inform British Government whether the would be represented. He was glad to see Mr Massey present, as he was always desirous to recognise the position of the Leader of the Opposition. Realising that he could only act with the, general co-operation of members, he felt it was better he should come-before them and make a general statement and be guided by the general sense of - the members assembled. He explained that if the representation of New Zealand was to be by the Prime Minister, and Parliament was to adjourn, the necessary steps would be taken to get an extension of supplies and the Speech from the Throne W(3nld be a short one. If the House decided that the Government was not to be represented, then His Excellency would have to be advisedjaifferently. If the invitation was refused the Government would lay itself open to the charge of indifference. The Conference was an -epoch-making one.

Mr T. B. Taylor asked how it was the Commonwealth had accepted the invitation without taking the course Sir Joseph had adopted. Sir Joseph Ward said the, would answer any questions later. Continuing, he said the time had arrived for Parliament to say whether it would uphold the offer of a Dreadnought or two to the British Government, and he would ask Parliament to say aye |or nay ; also to say whether the Dominion should Be represented at the Conference. He intimated that a despatch which was expected had not reached His Excellency, as apparently the Home Government was awaiting the result of this conference. The Prime Minister then read voluminous correspondence which had passed respecting the Dreadnought offer, and various despatches between the British and New Zealand Governments, the substance of all of /which has already been published. Ho estimated that the necessary Joan could be raised at 8 per cent., which, with one per cent, sinking fund, would amount to £BO,OOO a year, a not too heavy insurance on commerce. The Cabinet had entirely concurred in the whole proposal, and His Excellency was asked to submit it to the British Government. A despatch had also been received in which the New Zealand Government was asked to be represented at the Imperial Conference to be held in July, and a further one expressing the hope that Sir Joseph Ward, as Minister of Defence, would see his way to he present, Continuing, thel Premier said tire Government could not agree to the suggestion that someone not« Minister of the Crown should represent the Dominion at snob an important conference, at which the Secretary of State had, among other things, to consider the offer of a Dreadnought or two from New Zealand. The Home Government desired the representatives of the oversea Dominions to be present, and responsibility was upon Parliament to say whether and by whom New Zealand should be represented. The conference was of an unprecedented character, and the Ministry was unanimously of opinion that at such au important gathering the head of the Government ought to represent the Dominion. (Applause). He referred to what he described as an indecent suggestion, that he had sent a telegram to editors of the press and had not seen fit to send a similar telegram to members. Mr T. B. Taylor: Bead the telegram. I will do so :f you don't. Sir Joseph retorted that Mr Taylor oonld do so. The telegram was marked “Strictly confidential,” and he had sent it to editors of the press. It remained for one editor in New Zealand to refer to the message. He had never once in his whole career disclosed the contents of a confidential telegram. (Hear, hear.) He had found the editors of the press reasonable men without exception. He bad intended at the conclusion of the meeting reading the telegram if members wanted it, after he had removed the words “strictlyconfidential. ”’ If a member of the House who was in possession of shoh a telegram saw fit to read it he could do so. Mr Taylor: At your invitation. Sir Joseph Ward: No. You threatened to read it, and 1 said yon oonld do so. Sir Joseph said that in connection with this offer he had declined to look at this matter from a party point of view, as he thought that in such a question they ought to rise above party. At the time that offer was made the Government knew something which had not then been made public, and which they then thongbt justified them in making the offer that was now. being discussed. Throughout the country the action of the Government had been confirmed and applauded as being in the best interests of the Empire. Sir Joseph quoted from a speech delivered by Lord Charles Beresford, in which he stated : “If the country knew the position there would be panic.” Mr Taylor: He made several other “after dinner” speeches later. Sir Joseph : The one I refer to was not an after dinner speech. The Premier maintained it was not a fair proposition to ask the House to go on in Parliament without its leiader, especially with new members and new Ministers. He did not believe the Hon. Hall-Jones, if asked, would accept the position of representative at the Conference, unless he were Premier, with authority to act, as the Conference was a private one. If members agreed to his going to the Conference and the House adjourning, he proposed to ask the House to resume on a 80th September. Mr Massey asked for a specific resolution.

Sir Joseph Ward said all the business could be got through well in time. He bad asked Mr T. T. Duncan to move a resolution. Mr Duncan moved to the effect that the Premier should represent the Government at the Conference, and that Parliament should adjourn until September 30th. ■ On the suggestion of Mr Massey the meeting adjourned at 5U ; 5 until 7.30 to allow the memoranda to be printed. MR MASSEY’S VIEWS; • On resuming at 7.30 the Premier called upon Mr Massey, to speak to the motion. Mr Massey said he did nob intend to speak at great length, hut would make his points clearer than the Premier. He had no objeption • to the proceedings being reported in Hansard, but objected to the meeting being treated as part of Parliament. What was being done now was in no way binding upon the members of Parliament. All knew the important events which had taken place in Britain recently, and all knew that it would necessitate an important change in the defence policy of the colonies, but there was no need for heroics and theatrical display. He would like to know what was the defence policy of theJDominion? No country in the British Dominions had spent so much on defence to so little effect. It was an important question to bo considered by Parliament how the defences of the Dominion should be put in proper condition. All were agreed that New Zealand should be properly represented at the defence conference (Opposition hear hears.). It appeared that the Premier had made np his mind to go noma. Well, let him go. There was no analogy between the positions of 1897 and the present one. In 1897 it was a unique occasion—the diamond jubilee of the Cjfuaen. When the Premier went Home to a previous defence conference he left a substitute to carry on the business of the country. The Premier now said no one but himself could represent the Dominion. What a compliment to his colleagues! (Opposition laughter.) The fact was he did not wish the business to go on in his absence, because he ooula not trust his own party. Mr Massey observed that no man was indispensable, and* if the Premier, Massey and others weie out of Parliament the business of the country would still go on. It was the doty of the Premier to consulted the Leader of the Opposition, who represented nearly equal to half the inhabitants, if he did not want the cry of party raised, but he did not do it. He pointed to the financial position of the country and the necessity of providing for public works and other matters without delay. This was one of the most important sessions in the history of the country and ought to be proceeded with. The Premier should go to the conference, but it was not to be held that every time a conference was held in London Parliament was to be postponed. He hoped before the Premier went he would give the country an indication as to the lines of action he intended to take up at the conference. After having assisted the Empire we should look to our own defence, and he advocated a proper subsidy to the Imperial Navy as a better method of assistance than the gift of Dreadnoughts. He hoped tne motion would be divided into two parts to allow the meeting to decide whether the Premier should go Home, and if so, whether Parliament should be adjourned. Replying to Mr Taylor, Sir Josehp Ward declined to anwser questions. Mr T. B. Taylor said there was no need for warmth in connection with the discussion. Referring to the question previously asked by him in regard to the official communications, be protested against their being marked confidential and not disclosed. Members should have had. the whole of the despatches read to them. He did not believe the Imperial authorities .would' accept the Dreadnought offer. The tone of the despatch received by the Government did -not indicate that it was necessary for the Dominion to be represented by the Premier. Mr Taylor 'contended that if the conference was more important than the business of New Zealand, the Premier’s personal desire to figure ontfae Imperial stage was largely responsible for hie attitude. There was absolutely 'no reason for po|tponing the business 'of the session and a subsequent session of two months would necessitate important business being deferred. Sir Joseph Ward consented to divide the motion, and the first portion authorising the Premier to attend the conference was agreed to. The second part, 1 “that Parliament, after making the necessary financial arrangements to enable the business of the to proceed, adjonrn,” was put, and Mr Janies Allen moved an amendment to the effect that it was essential that the business of the’ session should proceed without interruption. The reason for the conference wps the action of Canada in ' deciding to undertake her own defence. He strongly opposed the motion for the prorogation of Parliament. Had the Premier really looked upon the matter from a non-party .point of view he would have trusted his party and Parliament to carry on the work during his absence. The action of the Premier in refusing to go unless Parliament adjourned was an attempt to coerce members. Sir Joseph Ward said Mr Allen should have given notice of his amendment. He denied that the personal .equation had entered his mind in connection with the conference. He denied that there were several thousands of unemployed. The Government had decided to acquire land in both islands with a view to assisting civil servants retired under retrenchment. Mr Fisher complained that the despatches had not been published earlier so as to give members more time to consider them. He gave at length bis views on defence matters. Messrs Herdman, Malcolm, and Lang opposed the prorogation of Parliament. The Honse was still sitting when the Telegraph Office closed. ADJOURNMENT, OP BUSINESS CARRIED. Wellington, June 8. Messrs J. Allen, Fisher, Malcolm, McLaren, Wright, Anderson, and Lake opposed postponement of the session. Mr Vigor-Brown supported the resolution, which was agreed to without division—“ That New Zealand be represented by the Premier. ” g.'On the question that the session should proceed a division was taken,

and it was resolved by 45 to 30, [that after passing the necessary supplies tbe House should adjourn till September 80th. THAT CONFIDENTIAL TELEGRAM. The following is the text of the confidential telegram sent to editors and marked “urgent, take precedence,’’ and read by Mr T. iS. Taylor ‘“'Editors of all papers where message battleship is sent. Strictly confidential.

X have sent you an important telegram for publication in connection ! with' tbe British Navy. I would like [to impress upon you that the situation is much graver than is generally supposed or has been published, and the offer that the Qorernment has made is one which we know will greatly help: Great Britain in the present crisis, |chiefly by virtue of the moral effect and as illustrating to Germany that the British Dominions will rally round the Mother Country in the time of imminent danger. As there is apparently at present such a situation, I have felt that narrow considerations of pounds, shillings and pence should yield to our plain duty to Britain, whose national existence is threatened, and therefore I feel it my.dnty to tell you confidentially. Our motive and desire is to avoid the publication of anything alarming, and hence have made this strictly confidential.—J. G. Ward.’’