MR. GLOVER'S INVITATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14209, 4 November 1909, Page 6

MR. GLOVER'S INVITATION.

MEMBERS IN MERRY MOOD.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.]

Wellington, Wednesday.

The question asked by Mr. Glover in regard to the expediency of retransferring the seat of government to Auckland was replied to this afternoon by the Prime Minister.

"I sympathise with the honourable gentleman in his natural desire to have the city of Auckland made the seat of government," said Sir Joseph Ward, " and I agree that from the point of suitability and general attractiveness that city compares favourably with any other centre in the Dominion. The decision come to some years ago, after full inquiry, to make Wellington the seat of government, cannot, however, 1 be ignored, and, in view of the fact that expensive public buildings have been erected here to enable the work of the central Government to be carried on, the consequent expenditure attendant upon such a proposal, apart altogether from the cost of Parliament buildings, ■is such as to deter favourable consideration of the question." Mr. Glover, in expressing dissatisfaction with the Prime Minister's answer, said that he would like to. make an appeal on behalf of "my good people of the citv of Auckland." (Laughter.) "I am glad to know," he said, in noticing the cordial reception accorded to him, " that I have friends, not only on the Government side, but also on the Opposition side of the House. "(Opposition: Hear, hear.) So far as I am concerned, this friendship will never be estranged——and when I leave the portals of this building I will shake hands with all the good friends that I have known in the years gone by." (Hear, hear.) In regard to the seat of Government, if they made a change the question was, Where were they going to go? . Voices: To Marlborough. Mr. Glover: I say that it should go to Auckland, and if we could only decide upon a suitable site the capital would be removed from Wellington to-morrow. (Ironical hear, hears.) Auckland is one of the most progressive and prosperous places in NewZealand. It hag great potentialities, and in time to come, when, perhaps, I have passed to the grand and beautiful beyond— (loud laughter)

Sir J. Ward: That can't be so beautiful as Auckland. (Laughter.) Mr. Glover, continuing, said that in days gone by Auckland had been the capital, but owing to circumstances over which he had no control the honour was removed to Wellington. They should, however, now reconsider the question, and the fact that there was already a Government House in Auckland, and none in Wellington, was an argument in favour of what he proposed. He admitted that it would be rather far to take Southern members to Auckland.

Mr. Arnold (Dunedin):„ We would be only too pleased. Mr. Glover: The Auckland people are well known for their hospitality—(hear, hear) —and they will treat you well every time.

A Member: What about the chickens? (Laughter.) Mr. Luke (Wellington) referring to the subject said he thought the time had arrived when the question of the seat of government should be definitely settled. It was not desirable that whenever new Parliamentary buildings had to be erected the question should be revived- There were certain disabilities in having the seat of government in a city, and he was not sure but that Wellington would not have been better off in earlier'; years if it had not been made the capital. He was not wedded to the belief that having the seat of government was a prime mover in the advancement of a city. Mr. Laurenson, in referring to the matter later in the evening, said that there was a very strong feeling in the House in favour of moving the site of the capital from Wellington, and he thought that it would be a good thing if a change were made. Wellington, he said, was a desperate place in regard to rent for any ordinary individual to come to, and he believed it would be a good thing for this city if another capital was chosen.

Mr. Wright {Wellington South): We are not afraid of all your threats. Wellington is a corner section, and it has a fine harbour, and if we move the capital it will still go on. The people of Wellington have got courage and independence. Mr. Glover : So they have in Auckland.