Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1934. NEW ZEALAND’S DEFENCE.

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 September 1934, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1934. NEW ZEALAND’S DEFENCE.

THE present Parliamentary session, at its opening, promised greater things than usual, but little has been clone, so far, to make national history, and as an early rising is expected, owing to the desire of some Members to attend the Melbourne Centenary celebrations, it looks as if any important legislation forthcoming will be rushed through, without ‘due consideration. Alembers “cut the cackle” where the Address-in-Reply debate was concerned, but have taken full advantage of the opportunity to air their opinions given to them by the Budget. Few of the speeches have been worth while, a notable exception being that from Mr. W. Downin’ Stewart, whose review of the Government’s financial policy came from one who had expert knowledge l of the subject with which he was dealing. Most of the other speeches were of the Party hack nature, Ministerialists being more than kind to the virtues of the Cabinet, and Oppositionists being blind to anything but the defects in Government policy. The debate on the Finance Bill is now in its final stages, and the level reached has been higher during the last day or so. Mr. -Wilkinson made a seemingly effective point in connection with the potential loss over the new coinage, the Auditor-General’s report on this matter having been critical of Minis! erial decisions. Air. Coates displayed his resentment, claiming that the Auditor-General did not know what he was talking about. It is well for the nation that Colonel Campbell is responsible to Parliament alone, otherwise there would be less candour about Ministerial actions. Air. Coates has yet to prove that he is a heavensent Finance Minister.

Defence expenditure loomed largely in yesterday’s discussions, and the country, generally, will support the Government policy, of strengthening the protection of the Dominion, and will be gratified that the latest in equipment and training are favoured, rather than adherence to what once was best. Mr. P. 0. Webb conferred on himself a halo for his attitude during the Great War, but judgment on what happened in 1914-18 must be based on the prevailing circum-

I stances and the country’s then need. Had all others refused to , ! serve because of their anti-eonscrip- : I tion convictions, there would have j I been to-day, little of the freedom. ■ land none of the prosperity Mr. Webb and others enjoy. Mistakes were made by'those responsible for the conduct of the War, but no such blunder was so serious as that

committed by those who held aloof 1 during the Empire crisis from giv- , ing of their best. There is no de- < I sire to revive “war” controversies, but il is effrontery for Mr. Webb to pose as one of the few in step dnr--11 ing 1914-18. To-day, it is the duty I of all to eo-operate to preserve I peace, and Empire lands can claim I to be giving a lead in this direction, I but those nations armed will not . be willing to listen to those disarmed. Labour has hopes of gaini| ing Ministerial power at the next " general elections. If it did, it would | bo fairly certain to maintain the 1 defence Force of the Dominion at I a high level. Why then pretend, I otherwise, when in Opposition ?