OUR MINISTERS AT HOME.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 July 1917, Page 6

OUR MINISTERS AT HOME.

STATEMENT iBY SIR JOSEPH WARD. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, June 3. In the House of Representatives to- j night, Sir Joseph Ward said: — It must be remembered that the Premier and himself did not go to England at their own wish, but at the invitation of the British Cabinet. The}' were given tion which made it imperative they should remain. If it ended his political career he still regarded their attendance at Uip War Cabinet and the conference as the most important thing that had yet happened to this Dominion. He had a pretty good general knowledge of things political, but not till lie attended the War Cabinet did he realise the enormous responsibility devolving on the men who were now governing the British Empire. As the result, hdweveiv of their being there he felt confident that no matter connected with the war affecting the Dominions would in future be settled without the Dominions being consulted. So far as the Imperial Conference was concerned to whieli the Dominions were to be aniiallv invited, he did not regard it as a compliment, considering the I number of white (people in the great Dominions. He thought they were entitled to something better than that. It might be a sentimental representation, '■ hut it was not practical representation. I Great as the advance made undoubtedly was they must go further. J i SHAKING RESPONSIBILITY AND j THE IBUIRDEX. j The Dominions must share with the : Motherland the responsibility of the Imperial .burden. There must be no putting off as in 1911, no repitition of fair promises, but an active share in matters i affecting the Empire as a whole, not as ' a compliment 'but as a right. 1 •Speaking of the regenerative spirit 1 now being developed in England, be declared that the Motherland could never go back to the former conditions. The part played by the women of Britain was dimply magnificent. It completely opened the eyes of all sections of the community in a way that nothing but this great war could have done. In his opinion the end of the war was so near that it was worth while to devote some consideration to the questions which have to be settled when it was over. .Amongst the first of these j was the disposition of the captured (Ser- ■ man colonies, lie declared it to be a, crime against the Dominions if the col- ! onies in the Pacific were ever returned, and he could assure the House that the I men in authority at Home knew per- j ■ feclly well what the opinions of the ■ people of this country were on this question. MARVELLOUS ORGANISATION'. Dealing with his visit to France, he declared the British Army, was the hest fed and the 'best clothed army in the history of the world. The organisation | in the field was marvellous, ibut that ! was not the only direction in which the organisation 'was complete. There was ! a ecneral idea it would take eighteen | months to get our soldiers; Aiack When ' the war wag over. It would not take months, so were the arrange- .

ments. 'Further, not a New Zealand soldier would' be sent back until he visited England and seen the heart of the Empire, not as a favor 'but as a right. One of the questions discussed at the war conference was the future defence of the Empire, and a. resolution was carried directing the men at. the head of the Navy to work out a scheme of naval defence. We would then have the benefit of the experience of men now holding the position in the North 'Sea, and he was strongly of opinion that in all decisions on the form of the future navy we should he freely considered by the men who have to control the navy in time of war. The effect of the Panama Canal upon the trade of the 'world would compel Britain to pay more attention to the pacific. The question of patents and naturalisation were dealt with in a way which would prevent our enemies exploiting us again, as they formerly did. FISCAL MATTERS ■He agreed with the preference resolution passed at the conference, but he saw that ui\y>ss the fiscal policy of Britain was in Harmony with that policy its .beneficial effects iwould unfortunately be defeated. His personal opinion was that Britain anil her Dominions could not comfino their trade to themselves. They must consider America, our Allies.. and perhaps some neutral countries, but much could be done if Britain adopted a fiscal system sympathetic with the interests of the overseas dominions. The control of metals within the Empire was next dealt with and the method explained by which it was hoped to so regulate production that there could be no limit to cur supplies for munition purposes. Air. Massov nnd himself secured the reform of the double income tax. The opinion was expressed that the Ne'iv Zealand parliament was powerless to control the meat trust unless the British, parliament co-operated with us by buying all the beef imported into England and distributing it to the people On the subject of finance Sir Joseph Ward explained that lie had arranged to have our par loans extended for thirty years, paying no brokerage. By this arrangement the country would be saved £400,000, END OF THE WAiR NEAR. He concluded by saying that he was sanguine enough to Ibelieve tlia;t we were near the end of this Avar when they would see the fruits of so much devotion and self-sacrifice now being made in the interests of the Empire. In compliance with the wish of members the 'Premier agreed to allow the discussion on the statements to-morrow. The House adjourned at 10 p.m.