Opposition Protest

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 67, 7 August 1914, Page 4

Opposition Protest

AGAINST CONTENTIOUS LEGISLATION. MEMBERS WALK OUT OF HOUSE. PREMIER OBDURATfI. By Telegraph—Press Association, Wellington, Last Night. When the House met at 2.30, Sir Joseph Ward asked tihe Premier'jf H was true that the Budget would bj brought down this evening. Mr. Massey replied that the Minister of Finance would deliver the Budget that evening. Sir Joseph Ward said he regretted to hear the statement just made. At a. time when England was at war it was most advisable to drop air party politics in the House, and his party was prepared to do that. The Budget necessarily contained matter of a highly controyershl natmre, and the Opposition irust either accept ft with their months shut or they must approach it in party spirit. He suggested that the Minister should postpone delivery of tht Budget, and if he wanted ways and means let him bring down a statement of what lie wants, and the Opposition would pass it without discussion. He did not think it wise to precipitate at this juncture strong party discussion such ae might take place on the Budget. Mr. Massey said the Financial Statement was the most important document laid before Parliament during 1 the session. It had been ready for some days, and the people had a right to know what the financial position of the country was.

Mr. Russell: That is a different thing. The Budget contains your policy. The Premier: Winy should ihfe people not know what our policy isf Hon. Members: We can't discuss it. Mr. Russell said the fact was that, the Opposition had disappeared as a party in the House, and they wanted to maintain that position untl th« present j crisis had passed. He asked the Pre- 1 mier to hold the Budget over for a week, so that the Opposition might be free to act with the Government as otae ■ solid Parliament, working lor flag and Empire. Mr. Maasey said the objections raised to the delivery of the Budget might be raised with equal force to any legislation, and Parliament would have to ad, journ. He was not going to take up that position. The state of Europe would be worse before it was better, and it was the duty of the Government to lav the Statement before the people. He did not propose to go on with the discussion at once. Sir Jospeh Ward explained that he had not refused to discuss the Budget out of pique, but out of his sense of duty to the Empire. Mr. Oolvin asked the Minister for Dofence if the Government bad taken adeqate precautions to protect the coal deposits on the West. Coast. Mr. Allen replied that precautions had been taken in the direction indicated.

After the dinner adjournment ■Mr. Bell asked the Premier if it wer<s possible for the Premier to issue a ©reciamation urging people to husband their resources in view of 'the war crisis. Mr. Massey said he doubted if legislation or a proclamation would do roach good, but he hoped that people would realise the necessity for providing for a rainy day. The Government was considering the question of a moratorium. He. did not think it wise to adjourn Parliament. He proposed to take th# Licensing Bill on Friday uid something had to be done with regard to the regulation of the price of bread stuffs. A Bid had been prepared. It was a good bill, but it did not quite, meet hie, wishes. It bad been referred back to the law officers. He hoped to be able to deal with it to-morrow, when he had got the Licensing Bill out of the way. He proposed to go on quietly and calm-1 •'.v with business. Ho wanted to avoid' all contentious business; and keep Parliament alive

Upon the announcement of the Financial Statement, the leader of the Opposition said he did not propose to stop in the House while the Statement was delivered. H e would not make any criticism upon the Statement at the present juncture, but he wouM not sit in the House silent. They should be as one man. The Government proposed to introduce the most contentious document of the session. He had entered a protest this afternoon, but it had not been heeded. He had expressed his opinion but. lie would not take part in a 1 arliaincntary contest. Mr. Massey expressed hi ß regret that ■Sir Joseph Ward intended to absent iMinself. It was an unwise and improper proceeding. Other measures were just fiH important from party purposes, and he could not agree that the Financial statement was a party document. Thedebate might be a party one, but the Statement was not. If not delivered, the public would be disappointed. He was ndt bringing down the Statement for party purposes. Mr. Russell also entered a protest against the delivery of the Statement, ine _Go--fr>:m«nt refused to adjourn the deliver,,- of i' m . Statement, and the l.oiise went into committee of supply. On Mr. Allen rising to deliver the Statement;, members of the Opposition followed Sir Joseph Ward out of the Chamber. Members of the Labor party alSo left, and the Government benches only were occupied when the Budget was delivered. I