PARLIAMENT.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 5 July 1924, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

NO-CONFIDENCE MOTION. PEOPLE WHO SHOULD BE HELPED. (BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION') WELLINGTON, July 4. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 this afternoon, and after the transaction of formal business the debate on the Address-in-Reply was continued.

The Hon. D. Bucido (Kaiapoi), discussing the price of fertiliser, said it was most essential that they should be able to get- cheap fertilisers, but he was unable to ,see how the Government could help in the mattoir unless they were able to bring pressure to bear on the shipping companies, whose charges were scarcely warranted.. He did not condemn the Singapore base, but whether that project went or not, the time must- come when the people of Australia and New Zealand would have to provide bases of their own foir fast cruisers, which it jwas proposed to employ as protection for these Dominions. The common promptings of safety demanded that these shins should be able to coal, oil and repair nearer home than Singapore. He condemned the Government for not providing finance to meet the necessities of settlers, while so fair as land settlement was concerned the whole policy .was in abeyance. Mr I\ Hudson (Motueka) advocated the cause of two sections of the community who deserved consideration, namely,- back-blocks settlers and discharged soldiers who were settled on the land. He suggested a scheme by which doctors might make periodical visits to outlying discricts, say once a fortnight or once a month. Dealing with tiie deptal service in schools, he considered-that was something of which the Government had (reason to be proud- A plea was put in for greater facilities for giving farmers technical education and for increased opportunities for backblock children of outstanding ability to get to the cities and attend university. To this end the Government should grant special assistance .

Mr AY. A. A'eitch' (Wanganui) asked the House riot "to consider the Liberal amendment in a party spirit, but to regard its: various items on their merits. The Hon. AV. Nosworthy challenged statements that production in New Zealand had decreased since 1912, and the Minister quoted figures. Wool exported and used locally had increased by 137,000,000 pounds weight, and the value of butter and cheese had increased from £3,816,000 to £16,338,000. There had been a fourfold increase in value and threefold in quantity. Replying to an interjection, he said the wheat grown in the oast season was only half the' country's requirements, owing to the .severe drought, but prevously enough was produced, to cover the domestic needs. Mr Nosworthy quoted statements from the London press and official figures to controvert allegations-that the Government was not symapthetic towards immigration. The Government, he said, had done a- great deal for immigrants. but it wanted to be quite sure of its ground, and would go quietly and surely, so that the people, who came here would have a chance to make headway. Mr R. Masters (Stratford) complained that the farming community was suffering because funds promised under recent legislation for advances were not forthcoming. He complained of the unfair manner in which the railway tariff pressed on the dairy farmer as compared with freights charged to various secondary industries and tourist fares. The big squatter who produced meat received preferential treatment, while the poor struggling dairy farmer was being crushed. The House rose r.t 11.7 p.m. till 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday.