NEW ZEALAND’S REPLY.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 September 1922, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND’S REPLY.

PROMPT ACTION PRAISED. VIEWS OF THE UPPER HOUSE. PREMIER’S MOVE CONFIRMED

(By Wire.—Parliamentary Reporter.) . Wellington, Last Night. The Government’s promise that New Zealand will support apy action taken by the British Government in regard to the Near Eastern situation was by the Legislative Council to-day, on the mation of the Leader, Sir William Fraser, who proposed a resolution similar to that carried by the Lower House yesterday. Sir William said the country was for* tunate in having a Prime Minister who possessed the quality of courage. To have waited for Parliament to meet before sealing a reply to Mr. Lloyd George would have taken three days, and the world might have said that it took New Zealand three days instead of three minutes to decide. The cablegram from Home had given members of Cabinet the impression that there mutt be no delay. The British Empire was threatened with a grave crisis, and only by putting on a bold front could danger be averted. He had little thought, when speaking recently on the results of the Washington Conference, that the impotence of the League of Nations would be so soopi exemplified. It was impossible to say what the bounds of the present disturbance would be—a world war might be imminent. Sir Edwin Mitchelson seconded the mo* tion. He congratulated the Government on its action. He had more faith in the Mahommedans in India, he said, than to believe that they would join a murderous people like the Turks. He trusted the efforts of Britain and her Allies would avert a war which, if fought, might shatter civilisation.

Sir William Hall-Jones said that he had felt the greatest astonishment on learning that matters had reached such a state that Great’Britain had to call upon the Dominions for men. The Prime Ministers of the Dominions should be kept in touch with all developments, so that such appeals should not come like a thunderbolt. Damger might arise through the sympathies of the Kalif and the Turkish National Government with Russia, and through her with Germany. The Turks might be left to fight out their own quarrels, but in view of the possibilities with which the situation was fraught, it was wise for the Empire to be prepared. The Hon. W. H. Triggs believed the Prime Minister had done his duty in replying at once to Mr. Lloyd George’s message. As an old journalist, he was ashamwl of the part that had recently been played by some of the newspapers of Britain, which were so anxious to injure Mr. Lloyd George that they could not rise above party politics even in a national crisis. He was proud of the stand that had been taken by the New Zealand newspapers.

STATEMENT BY PREMIER. “NO NEWS OF IMPORTANCE.” FINANCE ENTAILED BY WAR. (By Wire.—Parliamentary Reporter.) Wellington, Last Night. In the House of Representatives to-night, Mr. Massey made a brief statement about the situation in the Near East. “No news of any importance has reached the Government to-day,” he said. “We have received a very complimentary telegram to the Government and Parliament of New Zealand on account of what has happened, but there is no news in it.” The Prime Minister’ added that if the Dominion became involved in war he was sure that he would be able to arrange with the Imperial authorities to find whatever money might be required for expenditure in connection with the troops that might have to be sent from this country. An outbreak of war would involve financial adjustments in other directions. NEW ZEALAND’S PART. THREE CENTRAL CAMPS. SINGLE MEN ONLY.

Wellington, Sept. 20. The Defence Department will accept offers from married officers and noncommissioned officers, but all others must be single, Trentham will not be utilised ae 4 base camp. According to statements in the local papers there will be three centres of mobilisation: Auckland, Palmerston North and Christchurch. There are plenty of clothes and equipment available, and everything is said to be smoothly under way. Palmerston N., Sept. 20. The enlistments at the central military command headquarters at Palmerston North at noon to-day number 201 officers, 3281 other ranks, and 11 nurses. The local quota is 80 officers and 200 other ranks.