NO-CONFIDENCE MOTION LOST.

Press, Volume L, Issue 15015, 9 July 1914, Page 8

NO-CONFIDENCE MOTION LOST.

(ABI-IDCKD purss association RxrO-Q*). WELLINGTON, July 8. In the House of Representatives this afternoon, the debate on the Address-in-Reply-no-confidence motion was resumed by Mr G. M. Thomson, who commented, upon tho fact that the Opposition had not, throughout the debate, presented anything in th© way of constructive criticism. Ho said people would save considerably upon the cost of living if they would do their own marketing. He also Ynentioned wasteful domestic methods, rapid change of fashions, etc., as conducive to a high cost of living. Mr J. C. Thomson held that there was not an iota of constructive policy in the Governor's Speech. Who bad opposed the closer settlement legislation and the provision of cheap money? The Right Hon. the Prime Minister. It was useless to deny this, because the utterances were recorded in" "Hansard." He instanced the cases of the renewable ieases of endowment lands to show that the Government had backed down on the land question. A conference of land valuers should bo ♦.ailed to provide a scientific system of valuation. Mr J. A. Hanan commented upon the fact that Ministers were showing remarkable reluctance to defend their policy and administration. Only the Minister of Public Works had spoken in this debate, and his speech was weak dud colourless. It had been claimed that the Government had carried out their pledges, but no one outsido a lm.atic asylum could seriously make such a pretence. What had become \if the Premier's declaration that tho Houso should bo elected on the basis of proportional representation? Air Massey: For tho Upper Houso. Mr Hanan: No, for this House. The \ailuro now to bring it forward belied "he pretention of the Government and showed that on this question of electoral, reform- they wero not worthy of the confidence of tbe people. EVENING SITTING. Continuing his speech, Mr Hanan warned tho House against wasteful expenditure on defence, and declared that "ib was impossible for tho House to obiiin information a.s to the expenditure now tieTng indulged in.' Ho complained that moneys were being kept back from Education Boards. Mr Allen: That is not correct. Mr Hanan: If the Government challengo that statement, let them put up a Minister to answer it. I nuke the ! statement and it awaits an answer. i Mr G. J. Anderson commended the work of the Public Service Commissioners, claiming that they had done an immense servico to the Dominion. The attack made upog the Prime Minister by Mr Isitt in connexion with the Cheviot section was an evidence that our politics were degenerating, and ho : quoted freely from the report of last year's Lands Committee to show how and why the Committeo upheld tho action of the Premier in that matter. On tho general question of land settlement, Mr Anderson urged that, good as our present system was, the State should still further assist experienced farmers who were without capital. An extension of the Advances Department was necessary, largely on the lines along which land and stock agonts had assisted settlers to get stock and implements. H© advocated insistence upon a living wage being paid to all workers, especially to young women in cities, who often did nob get sufficient to keep them in food ,housing, and clothing. Many clerks wero not receiving justice, and the Arbitration Court should be empowered to adjust such matters m accordance with our humanitarian principles.- He condemned the present party system, which was conducive of nothing so much as wast© of time. As a remedy he suggested proportional representation and an elective ■Executive That, he thought, would help to eliminate the bitterness from the proceedings of the House. He would support the Government and vote against the amendment, because the Government had been . administering the affairs of the country in a way that reflected credit on them and benefit to the Dominion.