MESSAGE TO CONGRESS.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XII, Issue 303, 11 December 1922, Page 3

MESSAGE TO CONGRESS.

PRESIDENT HARDING’S PROGRAMM ft. PROHIBITION ENFORCEMENT PROBLEM Washington. Dec. 8. President Harding has sent a message to Congress outlining the most extensive legislative programme for many years. Presumably answering M. Clemenceau, President Harding, in effect, declared that America had not shirked and would not shirk her international obligations, nor permit infringement of American rights anywhere, but the Government would not engage in treaties, and armed alliance, or any commitment where either a council or assembly of leagued nations might chart America’s course. 'file President emphatically called on the nation to uphold the prohibition amendment, declaring that the conditions relating to enforcement savoured of a nation-wide scandal. He denounced those who would break down the prohibition law as breeding contempt lor' the law. which would ultimately destroy the Republic. He asserted that the prohibition enforcement problem was the most demoralising factor in American public life. 'I he President predicted that the prohibition amendment would never be repealed. He intended to call a conference of State Governors to work out definite policies lor administering the law. DOMISTK PROBLEMS AND THE TARIFF. The domestic legislation recommeiideded includes: (1) Enlargement of the powers or the I’arin lakih ward u» provide ample agricultural live stocK and production credits. (2) As Government operation does not afford a cure tor transportaLion ills, the railways ought to be merged into a lew systems, the equipment hemp pooled. (3) The abolition of the Hallway Labour Beard and the suosLitution ot a tour-men tribunal wil.. an niier-Siate Commerce Vonimission. (4) Anti-stnke measures to pruva. lor the enforcement of this tribunal’s decrees. (•>) A constitutional amenument against child labour. (6) . plan to draft the entire nation's resources in war time.

Lastly the President urged a law for the reeistration ot aliens, declaring that many were abusing America * hospitality. President Harding promised a broad. minded use or the liexible provisions ot the tariff, stating that the I hil< . states did not contemplate commercial aloofness, which was contrary to the ljsl American traditions ana

loitiest human purposes. He hope me world would not get the impres sion that because America was attend mg to domestic problems she \. unsympathetic or unmindful of In. international duty. “\>e would,’’ he said, •‘rejoice to help rehabilitate lu currency systems and facilitate a. commerce which does not drag us the very level of those we seen uplift. —-(A. and N.Zi.) INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS. PRESIDENT HARDING’S PLAN. EXTENSION OF PACIFIC TREATY. Washington. Dec. 8. M. Clemenceau, in his speeches, quoted a passage froni E resident Harding’s audress to Congress, which, owing tu the length of the President's speecn, was not included in the eariy summaries. Hie passage reads: “The FourPower Pact, which abolishes every prospect of war in tile Pacific, has Drought new confidence. ft maintained I can well believe it can be made the model lor like assurances wiiereaver m the world any common , interests are concerned. We have expressed the hostility of the American people to super-government ui to any commitment where either a council or assembly of leagued Powers may chart our course.” Al. Clemenceau declared that he was greatly comforted by this declaration, implying that such a pact for the Auantic would assure the world peace Ik? is seeking.—(A. and N.Z.) ASSOCIATION OF NATIONS. M. CLEMENCEAU TO OPEN NEGOTIATIONS. New York, Dec. 9. The Washington correspondent oi the "New York 'limes” learns that President Harding, in announcing that other international agreements similar to the Four-Power Pacific Treaty can be negotiated, believes he has opened the way lor the association of nations he advocated during his election campaign. It is understood the President is iiopetul that such, a treaty can be duplicated by an agreement among tile Atlantic nations. President Haruing has not thought of taking immediate action, but hopes to get such a favourable reaction that negotiations can eventually be opened. M. Clemenceau, in a speech at Philadelphia said he proposed opening negotiations at Washington for an agreement between the Lnited States and other nations to take the place of the League of Nations as a means of preventing war.-—(A. and N.Z.)