ADDRESS-IN-REPLY

Grey River Argus, 19 March 1941, Page 9

ADDRESS-IN-REPLY

DEBATE OPENED The War Effort [Per Press Association] / PARLT. BLDGS., March 18. A hearty welcome to Sir Cyril Newall as Governor-General of the Dominion was extended by Mr L. G. Lowry (Govt., Otaki), in opening the Address-in-Reply debate in the House to-night. The galleries and the floor of the House were fairly well filled for the occasion, and both the mover and the seconder of the Address were greeted with applause when they rose to speak. Mr Lowry referred to Sir C. Newall’s outstanding services to the Royal Air Force, and stated that his presence in the Dominion at a time such as this must give th'e greatest satis- | faction. He paid a tribute to the I magnificent example of the people of Britain in the present struggle, and | said he was sure that we in New Zealand shared their faith and determination to see the matter through, no matter wbat the odds, or hov’ long the struggle continued. Mr Lowry briefly gave an outline cf the work of the War Council and the War Cabinet in this Dominion, and said that he was quite satisfied that everything possible that could be done was being done to bring the defences of this country to an adequate state of preparedness. Some people, he continued, were a little anxious, and wanted to know when our troops would go into action. Fie would remind them that action meant casualty lists, and he thought that everyone would be well pleased if the dispute could be settled in some way which would allow every one of our men who had gone overseas xo return to us. Action would come soon enough, and, with it, heartaches. He did not suggest, however, that our troops should stand idly by and let others do the fighting. In conclusion, he asked the members of the House and the people throughout the country generally to re-dedicate their lives to the service of the country and the Empire. In seconding the motion, Mr E. T. Tirikatene (Govt., Southern Maori' thanked the Prime Minister for the honour which he had conferred on the Maori race by allowing a Maori member to second the motion. It was fifty-three years since a similar honour had been conferred on the late Sir James Carroll, who was then a private member, representing the Eastern Maori Electorate. In the interim, no Maori member had been called upon to move or second the Address-in-Reply. In referring to the Maoris’ part in assisting the Mother Country, Mr Tirikatene said they were all ready to assist, because by doing so they were assisting themselves. The Maori was a British subject, and one of the most loyal that could be found. The history of the Maori was one of chiv- | airy. He had not fought for money, or schemes, or for ideals, but he had I fought for only two things—he had I to fight for his land and his women, and they were both w’orth fighting I for. He admitted he could not fathom I how the present war had started, but ■ he said that it was no use asking our- | selves if we would go to war, because by going to war we were fightI ing for our rights, which had been j challenged by- a ruthless enemy, who was moving on his way like an assassin out of control. The Treaty of Waitangi had brought brotherhood i between the Pakeha and Maori for I all time. They had stepped out shoulder to shoulder in past wars, and they j were dc\ng so again. We had to forget our claims and bickerings, he said in conclusion, and weld ourselves into one cemented block so that victory could be achieved as soon as possible. The debate was adjourned at 9.45 I p.m. and the House rose until 7.3'0 I to-morrow evening. y