POLITICAL POINTS

Evening Star, Issue 17401, 10 July 1920, Page 9

POLITICAL POINTS

[From Our. Parliamect.art Rekhitek.] WELLINGTON, Jury 10. DEFENCE POLICY. CUTIZEW3' VIEWS ESSENTIAL. " I do hopfl that the Government are not going to bo satisfied witli only getting the opinions of military men as to the scheme of defence," remarked Mr Malcolm (Clutha) during the Address-in-Repry debate. "The question of training is not the whole of the military question; it involves the etndy of international* affairs and military science, but military men are not altogether possessed of the best knowledge! of these things. There are also the interests of citizens to be considered, and one thing which makes the citizens, especially those in the country, opposed to | military schemes is that it makes demands on the men's time and creates difficulties in th» way of production tliat ought to be avoided. Thus the Minister of Defence ought to take the opinion of these people." , « * * OIL AND IRON. • An earnest appeal for the development of Jfebe tsecondary industries of New Zealand, oil and iron, was made by MrtSfnith. | Overtures had been made by the Anglo--1 Persian Company to exploit the Taranaki wells, but the indifference of the Government had led to the company diverting their investigations to Australia, which had entered into a satisfactory agreement. By this aw output of 203,000 gallons annually -was guaranteed, this being half the importation of benzine and kerosene, and about one-third lubricating and fuel oiL Regarding the deposits of iron orej it was equally true that a definite policy should , be decided upon. , * * * VOTING -SYSTEMS. TWO POINTS OF VIEW. An interesting treatise on Proportional Representation was given by Mr Malcolm I in opposing the contention that its application to New Zealand was the solution of the franchise problem. Proportional Representation stood far the representation of every school of thought, a. mechanical perfection which made the community oblivions to the real object of representation—good government. Theoretically, benevolent despotism was the ideal system of government, but in practice this had proved ail impossibility because of inability, with singularly few exceptions. te> eradicate the olemeut of selfishness. The first secret of government was strength, which necessitated a majority, aJid this could never be obtained by Proportional Representation. Mr Jennings fWaitomo) look up the critics of Proportional Representation who complained that it confused, the position by creating too many parties. There are, he said, five or six political parties in the House alreadv. We have the Labor Extremist, the Labor Independent, and th<* .mugwumps on both sides. ilemhaca : What's that '! '

' Mr Jennings, j Mugwumps f ISißy 'SMrils' they have a monopoly in making the worlds «nd State Detter, hut my observation; h,'-. that they make it very much better &r> themsehies, but the Stat© is foigotten-i " ■• # # # a Qupa? TsrmN'G. ' After-'the storm a very eubdoed-atmo-sphere pervaded the House of Representatives yesterday; The storm clouds had disappeared with an early-morning division, and members generally were rather tired after their first late sitting of the session. The Address-in-Reply debate seemed, to he on its last less, though at least 20 members who had not participated in the no-oonfidence. discussions therefore retained the privilege of talking for one hour each. Those who spoke" raised few excitements, any reference to the Progressive Partyfe history being barred by the Standing Orders as relating to a past ■ debate. The whole business came to an end soon after the supper adjournment with a brief speech, by Mr Hockly, who had proposed the motion. # * # - SPARRING FOR TIME. When the debate on Mr Staifcamte | Elective Executive motion had extended j to past midnight, on Thursday, members I showed .a general inclination to hasten the division by confining their remarks to explaining their intended attitude, much to the consternation of drooping eyebrows. Mr Holland, when hfs turn came, maintamed a long tirade directed' in the main against Mr Statham. The latter, despite his avowed intention not to associate himself with Ijabor, would now find, Mr Holland said, that he had no alternative but to go into the lobby with the Extremists, and thus be branded* with the "Red" brpsh, unless he decided to forgo the privilege of voting for his own motion. .Not_manv of the Ibed members of the House, realised Mr Holland's subtle motive for extended attack. The Labor Party realised. Imwever, that one certain vote for the amendment would be lost unless Mr Frfcser could be summoned to thechamber: The Wellington Labor member had retired early in the eveTiing to his home, and it was a matter of three-quarters of an hour before"he could be brought back to exercise liss voting right. His seat was still blank when !|r Holland sat down, but, fortunatelv, two other speakers continued the debate„and the cause of the period of anxiety arrived in time to join in the march towards the Ayes lobby, -x- * * ANOTHER ROLE FOR PRIME MINISTER.

"Where is the Minister of Mines?" demanded the elett of Westkmd daring the first few minutes of his speech last night Mr Massey : He is here. Mr Seddon: "Another role the Prime Minister has assumed. I dont think he intends for a moment to assume its control for any length of time. I see smilin<r faces on the other side, but' I do hope they are not going to form another Progress League." (Laughter.) The hon. member followed tip this banter with an earnest phsa for the "permanent appointment of a Minister of Mines and the institution of a mining policv. He indicated .a number of directions in which the »oid mining industry could be assisted, reiterating his demand for the Government policy. Mr Ma»ey : You will get it.