ADDRESS-INREPLY.

Press, Volume L, Issue 15014, 8 July 1914, Page 10

ADDRESS-IN-REPLY.

YESTEBDATS SPEECHES IN THE HOUSE. (PRESS ASSOCIATION' TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON, July 7. In the House of Representatives this afternoon, the debate on the Address-in-Reply and Sir Joseph. Ward's ,nocoufidonce motion was resumed by Mr R. Scott, who spoke with, pleasure upon the prosperous state of the Dominion's .primary products, and welcomed the prospect that the Panama Canal would open up new markets for our meat. Ho epoke with approval of tho operation of the Public Service Act, and of the proposal to improve the position of echool teachers and increase their salaries.. He contended that it was misrepresentation to say that the Government contemplated the establishment of an independent navy-

Mr T. E. Y. Seddou urged that the Government should give some indication of when the Cost of Living Commission's renort was to bo discussed. He deprecated the failure to give the West Coast representation upon tho Board of Agriculture, and complained that the Governor's Speech made no mention of mining legislation. Since tho Massey Government camo into office, there had Been a sad fallingoff in attention to tho goldfields. Compensation with regard to workers in mines was not satisfactory. Ho hoped that a clear statement of tho GovernnieWs policy upon tho local navy would bo given. He supported immigration, and land settlement, and said he was pleased to Hear that it was proposed to do away with the present eystom of grants to'local bodies. Mr L. M. Isitt, in congratulating tho two members who proposed and seconded the Address-in-Reply, said they had performed the difficult task of making bricks without straAV. He wanted to support Sir Joseph Ward's want-of-oonfidence amendment, although he did not for one moment suppose it would be carried. Tho Government supporters were' so supine and lamblike in their submission that they would .submit to anything put forward by their leaders. On the only occasion when three members had had the audacity to oppose the Prime Minister, the great ''Ariki Tory" had shaken his fist at them,' and they had crept back to their places. Since then no squeak had been heard from those political mice. •' It was a triumph not of mind over matter, but of matter over matter. He condemned tho. native land legislation of the Government, which was against tho interests of tho Native. . . EVENING SITTING. At the evening sitting, • Mr Isitt continued his speech. He complained- that tho small farmer was. not. represented upon the . Board of Agriculture. He contended that thero was aggregation directly contributed to by tho legislation placed upon tho Statute Book by Mr Massey. Touch-, ing upon the defence systemj, he said it was idle to say that "six months ago tho Government was not in favour of. an independent navy. The training, of • sixty men would cost £50,000 ""a- year, or at tho rate of £2500 per man for the three years' course. Tho proposal was reckless and foolish, and there was no fear of the people being cajoled into the adoption of an independent navy. : Ho ridiculed the suggestion that the Reformers were not conservative. Ho hoped, if the no-confidence motion-was not carried in the House,.to eeo it carried in the country in six months' • time. . ' '. . ■'.-■.. Mr T. AY. Rhodes said the Speech from the Throne was a common-sense document. The legislation passed last.j session had tended ,to. bring about tlement. He believed it would be_jios-' sible to reduce the cost of living to the ; j people by some adjustment of .the Customs taxation, provision. of 'Workers' homes, etc. Ho regretted that no mention was made of mining matters An the Governor's Speech. Many yalur: able reefs remained to be found. Mr P. C. Webb said h.e could congratulate tho Government upon standing true to its traditions. It had bropght down a policy which was absolutely barren of anything in the way of progression. He believed the strike, was a relic of barbarism, but if that was co, was not the cause of the strike all , the more a relic of barbarism. .Therp was an economic cause" behind every strike. The Government was largely responsible for tho industrial strife. A Government which was so despotic to Labour was one ho would bo pleased to vote against on a no-confidence motion. . .' ■ ■ •Mr AY. I!; D. Bell pointed-out that j tho condition of the occupancy of tho land was due moro to the Liberals than* the present Government. Credit was duo to the Government for increasing tho graduated land- tax. Ho wasnofc in favour of increasing tho graduated land tax on estates which were not suitable for, He.agreed with the Opposition upon defence, and .would far rather have the naval'subsidy, bu fc ■he felt that, : in view of tho 1909 agreement, tho contribution would mean, an. increase. in ; - tho navy. 'Ho felt, howeverj ..that whatever they paid would only go towards a reduction in - the Imperial Naval Estimates. _ If they could guarantee an increase in tho navy ho would much prefer the subsidy. Mr Massey was not to blame for disregarding the interests of tho Native owners of v the West Coast lands. Tho - legislation' passed by_ the Liberals in 1892 prevent-: ed the Natives from "occupying .their own land: The legislation passed by the Massey Government,was the onlylegislation passed with the approval of the' Native owners. ■.•■'•... Mr H. G. Eil opposed a local navjv Although they were only three and*a half ■months in office, the Mackenzie Government did real-good work.' - The Second Ballot Bill- went through last 'session in its present form because the Opposition members were stopped speaking by the Chairman of Committees. They heard nothing now of the hardships of settlers; there was no talk of pack-horses -in tho mud now. The settlers had only been used as a ■whip for the Liberals, and the same was the case with taxation. Tho policy of tho Liberals was to ease the lot of tho small taxpayers, taking the money from, the wealthy people. He quoted extensively to-show wha,t substantial remissions had .been made in the Customs by the Liberals, aud further reductions proposed. •' Superannuation and other generous schemes were also introduced. The Liberal policy in the past was one of which every Liberal might \be proud. The Governor's Speech was an empty rag of. a thing, devoid of any indication of progress. Tho debato was adjourned on the motion of Mr G. M. Thomson, and the House rose at 12.25 a.m.