THE SESSION.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 14206, 3 September 1919, Page 5

THE SESSION.

Notes From the Gallery. I SLY DOINGS AT HOME. SIR JOSEPH HAS A TILT AT PRIME MINISTER. (By Our Special Reporter.) HOW THE GERMANS SCORED. “A most serious mistake was made, I think, at the time of the armistice,’ ’ remarked Mr Massey in the House today. “I am quite certain that if we had carried on until our troops were on German territory, we should have had very little difficulty in getting the Germans to agree quickly to anything we washed to impose upon them. But as time went on, the Germans adopted a ‘go slow’ policy. They saw that the longer they delayed the signing of the Pep.ce Treaty, the better it was for them, and the worse for us. I heard it asserted indeed that if the Germans delayed the signing long enough, instead of the Allied Nations asking for an indemnity from Germany, the position would be reversed, and Germany would be asking for an indemnity from us. The advantage to them of that delay has now been amply proven. HOW MUCH INDEMNITY? On the subject of indemnities, or rather reparation, the Premier offered an interesting opinion to the House. He explained that he did not know what New Zealand’s share of the reparation might be. It would probably be based on the pensions paid to soldiers and their dependents owing to war.” He added: “1 would make a guess and say that our payment will not be less than £10,000,000. This will, under the Peace terms, be spread over a period of thirty years at five per cent. Sur liability for pensions is about £2,000,000 per annum, which capitalised would amount to something like £25,000,000. So that by getting £10,000,000 we get something less than half of the pension liability, extending, of course, over a long, time.” NO CHANGE IN TERRITORIAL TRAINING. Opportunity was given when the Defence Report was tabled to-day, to question Sir James Allen on several matters, including future territorial training, and the employment of officers. Sir James Allen stated the vacancies in the permanent force would be filled from the Expeditionary Force,- and the remainder of the officers would go into the reserve. Candidates for permanent positions would be required to enter camp for a course of training, to ascertain wlio was the most suitable for the work in view. As for the future of territorial training, it was inopportune to deal with this until the proposals were brought forward, but there was no intention to make any change in territorial training until July, 1920. RENTS RESTRICTION. Parliament has hurriedly extended the law regarding mortgages. Mr Witty asked the Premier to-day if the Government intended similarly ttf* extend its operations to the Rents Restriction Act, otherwise, he said it meant a great hardship to many tenants, some of whom had already been notified that their rents will bo raised. Mr Massey replied that the matter would be taken into consideration. Some amendment of the law was considered necessary, but the law itself was permanent. SAMOAN EPIDEMIC. During the midst of a couple of hours’ formal business in the House, the Minister of Defence talked of the Samoan Epidemic Commission Report, with a motion that it bo printed. This gave a slight opportunity for discussion, but members failed to take it, though earlier in the afternoon Mr W. H. Field had tabled a question as to what action the Government proposes to take in connection with the commission ’s report. THE COALITION AGAIN.

Doubtless in whimsical vein, Mr Fraser (Labour) tabled a question to the Premier, suggesting that as Sir Joseph Ward had announced his ability to provide workers’ dwellings at a cost to the tenants of 10/6 weekly, and to spend £4,000,000 on the scheme, would the Government this session embody such a scheme in legislation, and added: “ Tho Labour members will bo prepared to seek Joseph Ward’s advice and assistance in dealing with such an urgently-needed and long overdue measure. ’ ’ NO “SCHOOLBOY QUARREL.” While Mr Massey was explaining the terms of the Nauru Island Mandate today. Mr T. M. Wilford interjected: “Was Sir Joseph Ward consulted'?” Sir Joseph Ward; “I want to say that J knew nothing of this matter. I was not consulted.” Mr Massey; “I take all the responsibility. ’ ’ Sir Joseph Ward: “But I have responsibility, too!” Mr Massey: “Yes, tho hnn, gentleman wants me to say what took place at the first meeting, at which it was discussed.” Sir Joseph Ward: “Yes, I should like it to be fully published.” Mr Massey: “Well, I am not going to take part in any schoolboy quarrel.” Sir Joseph Ward: “I think any reference to myself should bo fully stated.” Mr Massey: “Well, the hon. gentleman was present when the matter was discussed, and Mr Lloyd George refused to takp tho responsibility, and handed the matter over to Lord Milner.” Sir Joseph Ward: “I was present at that meeting. It was an informal meeting. I am not disputing that Mr Massey was doing, his best for Now Zealand, but I was not at the meeting when tho Nauru Agree merit was reached. I don’t know the conditions of the Nauru Agreement now. Directly or indirectly, I was not consulted. Until I know what it is, naturally, I cannot take any responsibility.” Mr Massey ; “The hon. gentleman was not in Paris at tho time.” Sir Joseph Ward: “It was long before I went away from Paris, and tho hon. gentleman knows it!” BUTTER EQUALISATION. II looks certain that the butter producers will succeed in getting from Parliament substantial relief from tho anomaly that the butter producers alone have to bear in the burden of a lower local rate than the price obtained free on board. The Premier in arranging a conference with representatives of the industry. to discuss tho claim that the cost of equalisation come from the consoli-