CALL TO THE PREMIER.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 March 1921, Page 5

CALL TO THE PREMIER.

, MR. 8. G. SMITH’S OPPOSITION. NECESSITY FOR MORE HOUSES. (From Our Parliamentary Reporter). Wellington, Marell 16. Mr. S. G. Smith (Taranaki), speaking during the Address-in-Reply debate, said he proposed (o vote against th. Prime Minister being sent to London as the representative of the Dominion at the Imperial Conference, New Zealand ought to be represented at the conference, but the High Commissioner could undertake the task with a clear understanding that he was not to commit the country to any definite policy until Parliament had been consulted. The House had been given very little information as to the business that was to be considered by the Imperial Conference. Certain matters had been mentioned in a general way, such as foreign policy and defence, and Parliament certainly ought to be consulted before any representative .committed New Zealand on these points. Mr. Smith proceeded to suggest reasons why Mr. Massey should stop in New Zealand and why Parliament should get along with its work. The housing system required early attention. The number'of houses completed by the Housing Department in New Plymouth in the last twelve months was nil. A few houses were in course of erection, but not one house was ready for occupation. He would not be surprised to hear now that owing to the financial stringency the number of houses proposed to be erected was being reduced The Government had a particularly poor roord in this respect. A member: Mr Massey is not a carpenter. . Mr. Smith: Th« figures show he is not a builder. Mr. Massey: I am the best Cabinetmaker New' Zealand has ever seen. (Laughter). . Mr. Smith suggested that the Prime Minister was passing a vote of no confidence on bis colleagues in the House of Representatives b.w saying that a member of another chamber must become aeting Prime Minister. The plain fact of the matter was that many matters of very great. importance to the people of this country were awaiting attention, and talk about Imperial issues did not justify delay. Mr. Smith proceeded to refer to land settlement and other matters, including the prevailing industrial unrest. He considered that the persistence of industrial strife was a strong reason why Mr. Massey should not leave New Zealand at the present juncture.