ADDRESS-IN-REPLY

Taranaki Daily News, 15 March 1921, Page 5

ADDRESS-IN-REPLY

DEBATE OPENS IN HOUSE. PREMIER’S PROJECTED ABSENCE. S VITAL EMPIRE PROBLEMS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. When the House of Representatives resumed at 7.30 to-night, Mr. K. S. Williams (Poverty Bay) moved, according to notice, that a ‘respectful Address be presented to his (Excellency the Govfernor-General in reply o his Excellency’s Speech. In doing so, he congratulated the Dominion on having so valuable an officer as Lord Jellicoe in the position of Governor-General, whose long experience in the intricate problems of naval defence would be of great benefit to New Zealand. He defended the Premier’s determination to attend the Imperial Conference, the questions to be discussed there being of such importance as required the guidance of the most experienced minds. One of the questions which the Premier should impress upon the conference was the necessity for a strong system of defence in the Pacific. This was necessary, not only for the safety of the outlying possessions of the Empire in these seas, but for the maintenance and security of the trade routes. x Passing to soldiers’ settlements, he congratulated the 'Government on what had been done, but warned them against putting men on holdings too small. So far as the native land policy was concerned, he hoped the Minister would as speedily as possible individualise and consolidate all native land held in common, and so bring into profit what was now to a large extent waste. Mr. J. Craigie (Timaru), seconding the motion, said this was perhaps the first time in the history of Parliament when a man outside the dominant party had seconded the Address-in-Reply, but were not the whole circumstances unique? As an Independent he did not think he lost his self-respect by doing as he was about to do. As a citizen of the Empire he defended the Premier’s going to the Imperial Conference, where great issues must be decided. Imperial defence problems were referred to in the light of America’s expressed determination to have the largest navy in the world, and the desire of Japan to find room for her ever-increasing population. These two great national factors might at some future day develop difficulties for the Empire, which would have to be faced. If so, he hoped all the differences would be settled by arbitration and good sense. Mr. T. M. Wilford (Leader of the Opposition) said he proposed to move the amendment of which he had given notice* This amendment, was divided into two parts. The first part affirmed that New Zealand should be adequately represented at the conference, and there was no need for him to beat the air by emphasising that fact, because he expected it to be agreed to almost unanimously. It was to the second part of the amendment that he proposed to speak. In this connection he dwelt on the great change which had taken place in the political position of the country since 1914, and this-was evidenced by the great increase in public and private indebtedness. He proceeded to charge the Premier with not understanding public finances or even the phraseology of his own acts. He likewise charged the Premier with buying land for soldiers at exorbitant prices, which must result in loss to the soldiers and the country. Mr. Massey: “We will not lose a penny.” Continuing, Mr. Wilford said the mistake was that no land had been taken for soldiers compulsorily. Mr. Massey had an Act to do it, but he never had the courage to enforce it. ( Big prices had been paid by the Government, with the result that the prices of land had been boosted up, to the permanent hurt of the country and the people of the country. He blamed the Government for not enforcing the compulsory powers in connection with the last loan, with the result that one class of the community was being squeezed while others were going free. It was absurd for the Premier to claim he may be able to reduce taxation ■rtext year. Mr. Massey: “I say it now.”

Mr. Wilford proceeded to argue that if the value of our produce fell, then the customs duties, land and income tax* estate and succession duties must likewise fall, and so the revenue on which the Premier depended would not exist, and 'taxation could not be reduced, Coming to his amendment, he reiterated his desire to see the Dominion represented at the Imperial Conference by the Premier, but he objected to the prorogation of Parliament for .so long a period. There was much important legislation urgently needed in this country., Mr. Wilford moved: “This House is of opinion that the Dominion should be adequately represented at the approaching Imperial Conference, but in view of the grave issues before the country, affecting every Department of State, and the important questions waiting to be dealt with, it records its emphatic protest against the holding up of the country’s business by the prorogation of Parliament beyond the usual time.

Mr. W. Downie Stewart replied, and then Mr. T. K. Sidey (Dunedin* South) moved the adjournment of the debate until to-morrow.