EMPIRE AFFAIRS.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 October 1921, Page 5

EMPIRE AFFAIRS.

THE DEBATE CONCLUDED. PREMIER ON NAVAL POLICY. VALUE OF H.M.S. CHATHAM. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The debate on the report of the Imperial Conference was resumed in the House to-day by Mr. A. Harris (Waitemata), who said the note permeating the speech of the Prime Minister was one of loyalty, his patriotism being so marked as to justly entitle him, in common with any past Premiers, to be regarded as an imperialist. Mr. D. G. Sullivan (Avon) criticised article 2 of the Anglo-Japanese treaty as dangerous and tending to drag Great Britain into a war with America, should that country fall out with Japan. Mr. A. McNicol (Pahiatua) stressed the need of some improved means of communicating between the Empire, ana suggested an improved diplomatic service to meet that need. Sir John Luke (Wellington North) complimented the Premier upon the efficient manner in which he represented the Dominion at the Imperial Conference. It had been suggested that the conference should be held in different parts of the Empire. That, to him, was not an important matter, but what was important was that wherever the conference was held we should be represented. He favored giving strong support to the Imperial navy and the maintenance of a small local navy, such aswe now had. The maintenance of the Chatham in these waters was necessary, and if she did nothing else but show our flag amongst the islands of the Pacific she was worth the money she cost. DUTY OF THE CHATHAM. The Premier, in reply, said he noted with pleasure the keen interest taken in the progress of Imperial affairs and of the Imperial Conference, though it was a mistake to suppose, as some speakers to suppose, that this was the first opportunity of discussing the business transacted at an Imperial Conference, for similar discussions had taken place in connection with a previous conference, at which he had represented New .Zealand. Mr. Massey then turned to Mr. Wiltord’s criticism of the Chatham as an “expensive toy.” He detailed the arrangement made by him under which the Chatham came to New Zealand. He declared that it was -a mistake to suppose that all the Chatham had to do was to go from port to port in New Zealand. Her principal duty was to police the islands of the Pacific, and that duty she was doing excellently. Again, her presence here gave our young men an opportunity to train for the navy, an estimable service, for all our young men did not wish to -become farmers. As to her cost no money would be saved if the Chatham was sent back to Britain, because if .we did not spend it on her it would become our contribution to the Imperial Navy. He had not changed his opinion on the question of a local navy, but circumstances had changed, inasmuch as big battleships were now costing from £8,000,000 to £10,000,000, instead of £1,500,000 as formerly, and it became impossible for small countries to pay for ‘big ships. What was being done with the Chatham was the right thing, and he was glad to think she was proving such a successful ship. THE JAPANESE TREATY. On the claim tha’ there should be more publicity in connection with the conferences, he declared that open diplomacy was impossible. Equally impossible and absurd was the suggestion that the Japanese treaty should be submitted to a referendum of the If it was he had no doubt what the decision of the people of New Zealand would be. Criticising Mr. Malcolm’s questioning of New Zealand’s partnership in the Empire, he declared emphatically that our partnership was complete. For the first time in history the Empire spoke at the recent conference with one voice and with no uncertain sound.

It was not practicable for Empire business to be transacted through the medium of Ambassadors; there could be only one means of approaching the King, and that w’as the Prime Minister of Britain. Discussing the position of the King, Mr. Massey declared it was a great mistake t<# suppose the -King was a figurehead. The King took a very active part in the Government , of the Empire. Few’ men knew the Empire better, and if it came to electing the head of the Empire there was not a man in the Empire who would have a look in with King George. Discussing the proposal to set up an Imperial Parliament, Mr. Massey remarked that at one time he favorea that solution of Empire problems, but the more he thought about it the less ihe liked it. None of the Dominions would agree to financial legislation enacted outside their own borders, and he honestly believed an Imperial Parliament would not last twenty years. Ke referred to the fact that separate representation had -been granted to the Do-.: minions on the League of Nations, but he was not sure that was a good thing; in fact, under certain circumstances, it “might be a weakness. It was this separate representation in the League that had given rise to a report that the Dominions were now’ independent nations. He believed in a Monarchical form of 'government as the best -for the Britisn Empire, and he considered it had been by the Imperial Conference. BRITAIN’S SURPLUS PEOPLE. Regarding immigration, he hoped the law. of New Zealand on this subject would stand, giving the people the right to select their own citizens. He believed that all possible should be done to get the surplus people of the Homeland to go to the colonies and keep them under the Union Jack. Every new citizen of the right stamp was an additional asset to the country. He was satisfied the present depression would pass away and the bright sun of prosperity would shine upon the Dominion. The Premier also detailed what he had done in London to meet the present high freights. Overseas freights must come down, so that the cost of production of primary products ■might be reduced, and so that the Dominion would be able to compete in home and foreign markets. In conclusion, Mr. Massey said he ’lieved that under the Anglo-Japanese alliance Japan was not required to ’’cc-me into the late war on our side, ; and he thought it was greatly to Japan’s credit that she had adopted the •course she did. */ The report was ordered to be printed.