ADDRESS IN-REPLY

Marlborough Express, Volume LI, Issue 158, 6 July 1917, Page 4

ADDRESS IN-REPLY

NEW; MEMBER'S SPEECH.

[FROM OUR COBRESPONDENT.] Wi +7 WE^ LINGTON, July 5. Wiien the House resumed after thedinner adjournment Mr G. J. Smith!(Pahiatua) moved the Address-in-Re-ply to the Governor-General's speech. He congratulated the two Ministers-^ who had represented the country in England recently upon their wisdom [in ignoring suggestions that they | should not'have- remained out of the country for such a length of time astihey had. He was quite satisfied •with the financial nrrangements made by the Finance Minister, also with the commercial arrangements concluded by both Ministers. Dealing with the question of preference for the Overseas Dominions, he offered the opinion that such a course would mean dearer food for the people of Great Britain, and he did not think that those _in command at Home would sanction. such a reform without most searching; investigation. He eulogised the work of the National' Government, and was quite satisfied1 Mat the whole of the country was behind the Government. It had done great work, with the result that New Zealand to-day, through the' courage, endurance, and discipline of its troops and the work of its Government, occupied a proud position . amongst the component par+s of the Empire. He poinfed out thnt since • the formation of the National Government three-.seats-- had been contested in the Dominion,', and in each case a supporter, of the National Government had easily won the seat. That was a direct answer to those • who. decried' the National Government. with taxation matters Mr Smith held that every Member of the House should go round his electorate during: the recpss arid explain to bis constituents the provisions of the excess profits tax. That was, -of course, if he was able to do if. Another.; matter, he had to complain of was regarding the income tax, where a farmer had to pay the tax: on his income without deducting the interest he had to pay"on his mortgages before making up his returns. He thought that was mos+, irequitable. In his opinion the butter fat tax was iniquitous, and d«ury farmers should be reimbursed for what, they had paid. So1 far as be could see there had been no f=erious attempt to look after or cater for returned soldiers in?his district (Pahiatua.) Some 20 returned soldiers had been:placed bn.tjhe land, the holdings averaging something like £3500. He advocated the further cutting up of large estates for soldiers and the cultivation of rural,,communities. The Lnnd Settlement Finance Act, which allowed a number of settlers to buy by private contract some large holding and cut it up for separate occupation, could be easily.applied to re-/ turned soldiers, but it nnnenred to mm that very little cons idem*.''on had been given to the matter. He eulo* gised tlie work of the Master m charge of the ..Returned S<>Mif>r S Department Cthe Hon. Mr Headman) also that of his officers. He believed that there was a prosperous time be- / tore the country, and "thore was .va dowi?" anyOne tO gGt his tail The, Hon. D Buddo- (KaiapoiY seconded the motion. He -pointed out that-since the House had last met tiie war had >rone considerably in fT SK* 1* AlHes > and the advent of the Lnited States into the war had shown that even that country had recognised the necessity for the defence^of the smaller countries Tlie moral effect thereof must be very great. It would be of no -atpriaT advantage to America, who, like New . Zealand, was fighting for nn idea*. He would be in favor of aF-^-Mno-either five millions or six millions tor tlie establishment of a line of steamships. If that w-rn done « great deal of money wo^ld b« saved .to the Dominion He advocated the keeping of land for returned soldiers in the same districts, ?n that the niV£ could., be near each other. I he debate was adjourned until tomorrow.