PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 38, 19 May 1916, Page 7

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. A FLYING FLEET PROPOSAL. Per Press Association, Wellington, May 18. The Council mot at 2..50. Leave of absence was granted to Hon. Sir Henry Miller for the remainder of the session on the ground of ill-health. The Hon. W. T. Wigram moved a resolution in favor of the Government establishing a school of flying, in preparation for the formation of an aviation- corps for the purpose of national defence. The mover outlined the progress made in the development of air machines, and their/ usefulness in war times. He claimed that a fleet of aeroplanes would add very much to the security of the Dominion, in case of a visit of a hostile fleet. He referred to the efforts made in Australia to provide for an aviation corps, and hoped 'the Government would see its way to provide for two schools in New Zealand. { Hon. S. T. George did not agree with the Government dealing entirely with [the matter, but thought they might be asked to subsidise aviation schools in 'different parts of the Dominion. The (motion was in the right direction. I Hon. Dr. Collins supported the resolution, but Hon. W. Earnshaw opposed it, and said it would involve a wicked waste of money. Hon. J. Carr approved the attitude of the mover. He thought the Government should take up the subject before private interests became involved, i Sir F. H. D. Bell said the Government had as much as they could under take at the present time, and after consultation with the Minister of Defence be could not give any hope that practical steps in the direction indicated by the motion could he taken. The energies of all concerned must bo devoted to the great issues at present at stake.'

I The motion was carried on the voices, and the Council adjourned until May 131. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. LIEUTENANT GPJ ERSOX.. In the House of Representatives, replying to Mr Payne, Hon. James Allien stated that Lieutenant Grierson 'had left New Zealand with the forces as a British officer and an honorable gentleman* ,< ADDRESS-IN-REP Y. Mi- McCombs ' (LyttcHon) resume! the {debate on' the Addrcss-ih-Reply. Dealing with the war, he said that they were not going to conscript the [shilling, but were going to borrow it at a high rate of interest. He. protested against the methods employed 'against the Defence Minister. He could 'not possibly support the National' Government, because it was the biggest failure of- a Government they had ever had. In his opinion Parliament was more interested in sending the last man to the front at 5b a day to get wound--ed, and probably lose his business, in defending this country, than it was in collecting that last shilling they had heard so much about. He contended that conscription of wealth should precede conscription of life. Thoy had been told recently that there were 20.'OOO men, physically fit, in this country 'who could bo secured, provided their finances were put right by the State. He questioned the methods adopted by the recruiting officers regarding men temporarily unfit, contending that the Government should immediately secure those men; they had no right to call upon youths and young men to go out and defend wives and families of mav-

ried men. j Dr. A. K. Newman said that he was against conscription, but he was going to vote for the Government's Bill, hecause this country was "up to its neck in it." He objected to the methods of pensions, and was absolutely astounded to find the manner in which three unknown persons had been cut down in pensions to soldiers. He was going to vote for pensions by right, even if it meant the downfall of the Government On the cost of living, he thought the Government should secure stocks of butter, oats, and other household commodities, and let the public have them at a cheaper rate than they are now forced to pay. A four million war loan could be easily raised in this Dominion. He appealed to the Premier to proclaim his policy. The people ot the country wanted a lead from the Government. They wore out to win this war. and would follow any distinct lead if they were taken into the confidence of the Government.

I Mr J (i. Coates (Kaipara) argued in favor of conscription. He objected to the export tax as unfair to a man not making a profit. Farmers would not object to any taxation that was required to win the war, and prevent the country being placed under the heel of the. Hun. ~ I Mr A Walker (Dunedin North), Vtromdv urged the claims of married men with families to a more generous scale of pensions. He complained ol the delay in the appointment of a board to inquire into the cost of living 'and defended the demand of mil* ay men for increased rates of pay. I Mr Massev said that paper currency, if issued, must be in proportion to the lmllion ..esen-e. He denied that voluntary enlistment had failed, but thoughi |

it necessary to look ahead, so tlhu men would be forthcoming it requ.rec should the war linger on He tavoio national service, as laid down by Lok Roberts, and stated that the Hoard o Trade did not wish to make a profit out "of transactions in meat. SpeatangKj* Wallv no profit was made. Repljmg to Dr Newman, he said the policy ot +„ rWofcp its best the Government was to devote energies to bringing the war to a con elusion. He hoped that Galhpoh Yen insula would be sacred ground He stronglv objected to some misrcpiosan-

tations wliicli had been made affecting officers during tha de'nue, v. liifli iv held to be mean, cowardly, and contemptible. He denied .that soldiers had been carried over the Rimutaka range in horse boxes ; they were covered trucks. He explained that there had been intentional delay in the appointment of a Board of Trade to inquire into the cost of living. Prices were bound to increase in war time, and the increase here was lower than in any other part of the fcmpire. The cost of living was lower in NewZealand than in Now South Wales. He admitted there were flaws in the Pensions Act thai was passed last year, l.r.t he bad not ye! heard of a definition of a claim for a pension by right. He hoped the'amendments would make the Act a credit to the country. The matter of further taxation would be covered in the Financial Statement. Some financial'critics would be surprised when they heard the statement. He referred to the proposals for settlement of soldiers on. the 'land, and said everything would he cione to make a success of the work. Benmorc estate had been cut up into 41 runs. Mr Massey dealt at length with the subject, read official reports, showing that the Benmorc and Rollesby lands were not suitable for occupation by soldiers, and said the member for Waitaki would now see that his charges had no foundation in fact.

Mr Isitt said that whatever the faults of the National Government it was the only possible combination at the present time. An election of a now House eould not be thought of. He deprecated the irritating criticism of individual members of the Government: They knew when the Government was formed that domestic l?gislaifcfan must be a secondary consideration, and it was a scandal that six million pounds were being wasted yearly on racing and drink in such times of. strife. He thought the Government should have limited racing permits, and also restricted the sale of liquor. He strongly opposed raising a. war loan in the Dominion, as this would be certain to increase the interest charge,;. The debate was adjourned, and the House rose at 10.55.