PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 May 1916, Page 4

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL A FLYING FLEET PROFOSAL. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Xight. The Council met at 2.30. Leave of absence was granted to Hon. Sir Henry Miller tor the remainder of the session, oi! 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 aviat'on corps lor 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 t'l/e 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. Hon. Dr. Collins supported the resohiHon, 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 suibject before private interests .became involved. Sir F. H. D. Bell said the Government had as much as they could undertake at the present time, and after consultation with the Minister of Defence 'he could not give any hope that practical steps in the direction indicated by the motion could be taken. The energies of all concerned must be devoted to the I great issue* at present at itak*

The motion aas carried on tho voices, and the Council adjourned until May 31, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. LIEUTENANT URIERSON. In the House of ltepresentatives, replyi>ig to Mr. Payne, Hon. James Allen stated that Lieutenant Gricrson had left New Zealand with the forces as a British officer and an honorable gentleman -ADDRESS-IX-REPLY. Mr. McCombs (Lyttelton) resumed tlitf debate on the Address-in-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 in-tc-iest. 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 thev had ever had. In his opinion Parliament wag more interested in sending the last man to tlie front at 6s a day to get wounded, and probably lose hl» business, in defending this country, than it wis in collecting that last shilling they toad heard so much about. He contended that, conscription of wealth should precede conscription of life. They had been told recently that there were 20,00(1 men, physically fit, in this country who could be secured, prodded their finances were put right by the State. He questioned the methods adopted by the recruiting officers regarding men temporarily unfit, contending that the Govern* ment should .immediately secure thos» men; they had no right to call upon youths and young men to go oxit and defend wives and families of married men.

Dr. A. K. Newman said that h# wan against conscription, 'but he was going to vote for the Government's Bill, 'because 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 co9t of living, he thought the Government should secure stocks ot Initter, 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 of the country wanted a lead from the Government. They were out to win this war, and would follow any distinct lead if they were taken into the confidence of the Government.

Mr. J. G. Coates (Kaipara) argued in favor of conscription. He objected to the export tax as unfair to a man not making a profit. Farmers would rifet object fc:> any taxation that was required to win the war, and prevent the country being placed under the heel of the Hun, Mr. A, Walker (Dunedin North) strqngly urged the claims of married men with families to a more generous scale of pensions. He complained of the delay in the appointment of a board to inquire into the cost' of livfhg, and defended the demand of railway men for increased rates of pay ill'. Massey said that paper currency, if issued, must lie in proportion to the, bullion reserve'. He denied that voluntary enlistment had failed, but thought it necessary to look ahead, so that men would be forthcoming if required, should the war linger on. He favored national service, as laid down by Lord Roberts, and stated that the Board of Trade ilii not wish to make a profit out of trans' < actions in meat. Speaking generally, nc profit was made. Replying to Dr. Ncw« man, he said the policy of the Govern, ment was to devote its best energies to bringing the war to a conclusion! He hoped that Gallipoli Peninsula would be sacred ground. He strongly objected to some misrepresentations which iiad been made affecting officers during the debate, which he held to be mean, cowardly and contemptible. He denied that soldiers had been carried over the Rimutaka \ range in horse boxes; thoy 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 Empire. The cost of living waß lower in New Zealand than in New South Wales. He admitted there were flaws in the Pensions Act that was passed last year, but he had "hot yet , heard of a definition of n 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 Finttn- . cial Statement. Some financial critlci would be surprised when they heard the statement. He referred to the proposals for settlement of soldiers on the land, and said everything would bo done to make a- success of the work. Benmore estate had been cut up into 41' runs. Mr. Massey dealt at length with the subject, read official reports, • showing that the Benmore 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 mew House could not be thought of. He deprecated the irritating criticism of individual members of the Government. They knew when the Government was formed ihat domestic legislation must 'be a secondary consideration, and it was a scandal that six million pounds were being wasted . yearly on racing and drink in such time* 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 interest charges. The debate was adjourned, and the House rose at 10.65.