PARLIAMENT.

Bush Advocate, Volume XXI, Issue 295, 17 June 1909, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

.HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. [PRESS ASSOCIATION.) WELLINGTON, last uijiht. The House resumed at 2.:5(). Sir Joseph* Ward continued his speech. He, said objection i ;;d been made to the investment of iBCO.OOO, of Savings Bank deposits i:i Home securities. Ho held this was the proper thing to do. The money was free and unpjkalged and was absolutely secure. Who face value of these securities to-day was £868,000. Mr Massey denied that the Opposition was in favor of increasing the rate, of interest on advances to settlers by half per cent. The Bill was read a third time on the voices. The report .of the Native Land Commission of 1909 ordered to lie on the table and be printed. Mr Massey moved that "the House being satisfied that the existing volunteer system has proved inadequate for the defence of the dominion is of opinion that it should be replaced by universal, training for '..defence purposes." It would be 7 a good thing if the Premier could tell the-confer-ence that New Zealand was not only prepared to assist thje Imperial navy but tovdefend ourselves. The Premier suggested that as he had already intimated" Government intended to submit proposals providing for defence, it Mould be better to allow the motion to pass without debate oii the understanding that no one was bound by it. The defence system would have to be materially altered. . Ho had already . prepared two separate schemes. Mr Wilford asked Mr Massey if he would accept an amendment as follows; After the word opinion to read "that some system should be initiated by which the defence of the dominion could be effectively carried out," ' . :Mr Brown seconded the amendment. Mr Russell moved the adjournment of the debate until 21st October. This would leave members jfree to discuss proposals to be placed before the House by Government. Mr Taylor, Christchurch, supported the motion for adjournment, which on being put was carried by 44 to 29. The report of, the commission on the Addington Workshops was ordered, to lie on the table and be printed. . The House, then adjourned until 4.30 when the Speaker announced that the Council had passed the Finance Bill without amendment. 'A message was read from Sir Jas. Prendergast, Deputy-Governor, announcing Ms assent' io 'ihe Bill. Tho Premier then farewelled the House. Mr Massfey said he was confident the Premier would represent the: dominion creditably. The Speaker returned thanks for the felicitations of the Premier and leader of the "Opposition and hoped to see them all in their places next session. On the motion of the Premier, the House adjourned till 2.80 on Friday. The House rose at 5.20.