ADDRESS-IN-REPLY

Feilding Star, Volume 2, Issue 280, 9 July 1924, Page 5

ADDRESS-IN-REPLY

THE DEBATE .CONTINUED.

MB MASSEY'S STRIKING SPEECH

(Per Press Association). Wellington, July 8

In the House this .afternoon,, after formal business had been dealt with, the debate on the Addross-in-Roply was resumed by Air do la Perello, who stated that Ibe iime was ripe for, a change in Government, and Mr.T. W. Rhodes (Thames), who defended the action of the. Government. Mr Smith (Taranaki) said there was not a single word in the Governor's Speech which indicated, that the Government had and sympathy whatr-var with humanitarian legislation. PREMIER- IX GOOD FORM. When the House resumed at 7.3 D, Mr Massey took up the debate., In reply to .Mr Smith's criticism of the Advances to Settlors Department lie said tho Act .put »pon the Statute Book last Wear was. the most liberal measure ever passed . by Parliament. Ho congratulated the mover and seconder of the Address-in-Beply. upon the speeches they had delivered, but he was unablo to extend similar compliments,to the Opposition. He then proceeded to deal with Mr Wilford's speech in detail. He charged Mr Wilford with misrepresenting the financial position of the Dominion in bis public speeches, heaping upon the Government the whole blame for the r ; > pd increase in public expenditures, never reminding the public that we had just come 'through a great war which piled up heavy expenditure in all directions, including pensions for solders. Nor ,dd be tell the public that at the first favourable moment the Government had reduced taxation, amounting in ail to £1,563,590. He admitted that the Government had increased Customs duties, but only on. luxuries. Not a sirtgle pen T py had. been put on commodities used by .thej poorer classes. He had hoped soon to.be able,to reduce railway fares and freights, because he realised that they were too high, but only the other evening; the Opposition had yoj ted to ( increase overhead charges, and that was just the sort of thing that would prevent the reductions he and the Minister of Railways ifoped to bring about. In conclusion, Mr Massey warned the Opposition against the proclivity of maligning opponents m the course of their politico] activities, clinching his warning by the well known .Shakespearian quotation, "Who steak my purse," etc. MR HOLLA XI) SPEAKS. . Sir Holland said it was a pity the House could not have agreed upon coming to an immediate vote on. Mr Wilford's amendment, because every one knew exactly what the result would be. The vote on the Imprest Supply Mill, settled that. The Government majority would be the eternal three. After dealing with tho " sham light" which was going on between tlie Government and the Liberals, the speaker proceeded to deal with the land question. He said important as the moratorium question , was, it was only one phase of the land question. Before the Government proposals came before them, member:-; should be supplieTl with defails of mortgages owing in Now Zealand and the rates of interest being paid. He considered one of the first duties of the House was to reduce rates of interest, because it was impossible for farmers to pay 0 and 7 per cent, at present charged by lending companies. Finally, inasmuch as the Liberal amend men I was largely made up from the Labour platform, and inasmuch, as it was a vote of no confidence in the Government, the Labour Party would support it, Tho debate was adjourned on the /notion >of Mr Edie, and the House rose at 10.3 Do 'clock.