IN PARLIAMENT

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 30, 4 August 1914, Page 8

IN PARLIAMENT

STATEMENT BY THE / PREMIER PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES TAKEN. A UNITED HOUSE. In the House of Representatives this afternoon, in the presence of full galleries, the Prime Minister referred to the precautionary measures that are being taken under Imperial instructions or in accordance with Imperial regulations. The Naval Reservists were being called out, and were joining their ships. A system of censorshi/i had been established, particularly in regard to cablegrams coming into and going out of New Zealand. An examination service had been established, and no vessel would be allowed to enter the ports of Auckland, Wellington, Lyttelton, and Otago without being examined. It was a precautionary measure and no more. H.M.S. Philomel had been handed back to the Imperial authorities, and was an ordinary warship under the control of the Naval Military Officer. Tho Garrison Artillery, he said, had been called out, and the forts would be fully manned both day and night. This might be sufficient for the time being, though in other parts of the Empire vessels wero only allowed to enter at certain times. During the last few days some important cablegrams had been received by the Governor from the Home Government. One was from the Secretary of State, who conveyed the high appreciation of His Majesty at the offer of an expeditionary force made in the House, and of his high appreciation of "this further manifestation of the staunch loyalty of the Dominion." The second telegram was as follows: "His Majesty's Government have received with deep gratitude the announcement of the oner to forward volunteers for an "expeditionary force, but no condition has yet arisen which would make this step necessary at present." " I desire to emphasise the words ' at present,' " said Mr. Massey, " because the position may change." No active steps, he continued, would be taken to ask for volunteers until Cabinet had received a further message from the Imperial authorities and Parliament had been apprised and signified approval. Mr. Mafcsey, in conclusion, expressed appreciation of the fact that in all parte of the Empire Imperial questions were being considered as above party. There was no necessity for Anything in the way of panic or for the indulgence in Jingoism. He was sure that Parliament, people, and Government of New Zealand would do their duty, although it might mean that sacrifices would have to be made. But they would do their duty, and do it under any circumstances that might arise. (Applause.) STATEMENT BY LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION. Sir Joseph Ward said : Speaking with the full sense of the responsibility that attaches to the holder of the office of Leader of the Opposition, I wish to say that I fully recognise that the position as 1 it stands at present is one of the gravest that has .occurred in connection with the history of the world. Although Great Britain has not been in any way a party to the rupture that has unhappily occurred between the great Continental Powers, the fact remains that her position is so great that it seems to me to be next to impossible for her to remain a silent onlooker. Whether that will turn out to be so or not, we cannot but feel a sense of great satisfaction in tho knowledge that England possesses statesmen full 'of wisdom and experience, who will be backed by a race whose courage whenever called upon to face danger and difficulties has never failed. We have had the experience already of the marvellous unity that arises at a juncture when the j^osition of the Empire is in any way threatened. Nothing could be finer in the expression of this trait in the Biitish character than the rapidity with which the gaping, wound that a week ago presented such an ugly appearance, and which seemed incapable of being healed, has closed up. The dissensions were so wide that it seemed impossible to avoid a rupture between, members of our own ra,ce within the British Isles* Yet the moment there Was a sign of danger on the horizon from beyond the shores of the Motherland the internal troubles almost instantaneously ceased; and, more than , that, tho contending factions who had been strengthening themselves to attack each other simultaneously extended the hand of brotherhood to 'the British Government and to each other, both offering to take up arms in > unison for the protection of Empire interests common ' to all. I would like to say I feel as equally proud of the Ulstermen and Nationalists who so splendidly sunk their strong differences. They have shown a fine example of loyalty to the whole world. But this has always been the experience of Britain in the past, and such actions redound to the honour of our fellowcountrymen and to the glory of the Empire. Indeed, it is such actions that make for the prestige and the power of the British race, and which have helped to make Great Britain and the Empire what they are. Then we look afield to the outlying portions of the Empire. Canada has acted magnificently ; Australia equally so. And New Zealand has through the Prime Minister already indicated its willingness, as in tho past, to make' every sacrifice to help to keep the bonds of Empire intact, and to preserve- unsullied the great traditions of the Motherland. There need be no question in tho minds of anyone in the present crisis, either hero or abroad, as to our unity of action. I The Opposition Party, of which I am the Leader, will co-operate in every way with tho Government of tho 'day in any action it may be necessary to take to preserve tho integrity of the Empire. (Applause.) Finally, Sir Joseph said the Opposition would aid the Government in the steps it had already taken.