NAVAL DEFENCE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 5731, 28 October 1905, Page 7

NAVAL DEFENCE.

THE AUSTRALIAN SQUADRON.’ LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS’ VIEWS. In the Legislative Council yesterday afternoon a somewhat lively discussion arose upon the Australian and New Zealand Naval Defence Bill transmitted from the Lower House. Tho Hon Mr Pitt, in moving tho second reading of tho bill, said its object was to authorise tho alteration of some of the articles of the original agreement as to tho Australian squadron, Two things were not to ho altered, namely, tho yearly sum payable and the strength of the naval force. Ho did I.ot think there could he any objection to tho bill, because it was agreed that tho naval strength was not to bo dimimshed, nor tho colonial payments to tho imperial Government to be increased. Tho Hon Air Rigg said he objected to the Government having power in any way to alter tho terms of an agreement without tho consent of Parliament. If tho bill passed it would bo wrongly binding future Parliaments. If wo wanted to sec what was done under similar conditions wo had only to look at tho ivnglo-Japanese treaty. This could not bo said to bo of benefit to the British race. (Mr Rigg proceeded to criticise tho British Government.) Tho Hon Mr Pitt roso to a point of order.

Tho Speaker said though it was not in the standing orders, ho thought tho expression of opinion of the British Government and Legislature in that place was out of order. At any rate, it was very wrong to make remarks about a Legislature that had no voice there. Tho Hon Mr Rig" said lie would challenge tho Speaker’s ruling. Tliis-British Government had lost the confidence of tho people of Great Britain. An lion member: How so? The Hon Mr Rigg: That is proved by the by-cicctions. Voices: No, no! Tho Hon Mr Bigg; There was an adverse vote and tho British Government should have resigned. Hon members: No, no. The Hon Mr Rigg: Tho British Government wjero responsible for the Boer war and for tho introduction of tho Chinese into South Africa. Tho Hon Sir H. J. Miller rose to a point of order. Was it, lie asked, in the power of any hon member to introduce a question referring to tho actions of the Imperial Government in that Chamber. Tho Imperial Government was one of tho finest Great Britain had had and it had saved us hundreds of millions of money by tho treaty with J?,pan. (Hear, hear.) Ho hoped the hon mon'Dor would not show such had taste/again. Tho Hon Mr Rigg said he hoped the hon member would not again bo guilty of such impertinence. The Hon Sir H. J. Miller; I have a right equal to yours. Mr Speaker: Until my ruling has been overruled by a vote of this Council, I cannot allow a discussion imput-; ing bad motives to tho Government of tho British Empire or any words spoken in gross disrespect. Tho Hon Mr Rigg: That only shows how true my remarks must bo about a Tory Government to arouse this objection. Tho Speaker: Tho hon gentleman must take my ruling as I express it. This is not a question of politics, but of our connection in this Legislature with the British Legislature. Tho Hon Mr Rigg: I accept your ruling, sir, but, surely it cannot be held that I cannot mention tho British Government. Under tho circumstances it is difficult to know how far to go. I regret that when tho hon gentleman (Sir Henry Miller) has the opportunity of following my remarks ho should • attempt to “gag” me. It is my tion, when this bill is in committee, to move that no supplementary agreement shall have the effect of extending the period of ton years, as mentioned in article 10. I have always been one who has stood out for New Zealand providing her own defence. It is recognised that in case of war we should not have tho protection of tho auxiliary squadron, but that it is to be used where it is most effective. Hon members: No.

The Hon Mr Rigg proceeded to argue that the colony could not bo protected by warships thousands of miles away. It was seen during the Rueso-Japaneeo war that, notwithstanding tho espionage of tho Baltic fleet, its presence was lost sight of for probably over 1000 miles. If that could happen to a large fleet it was evident that a few transports might escape observation. If the other colonies contributed with New Zealand, it would be better and more economical to have an Australasian squadron. The Hon Air Wigram said tho views of tho Hon Mr Rigg wore well known, and almost unanimously opposed by tho Council.

Sir Henry Miller said it was not easy to sit still and hear the British Government alluded to in such opprobrious terms with equanimity. The Hon Mr Kigg said he stood to what ho had said, and was prepared to dp so inside or outside Parliament. The Hon Mr Kelly did not suppose that would hurt the Imperial Government very much. The Attorney-General said the Hon Mr Rigg had wholly failed to show that the agreement was unconstitutional. The Australian and New Zealand Defence Act of 1903 was based on the agreement between the Dords of the Admiralty and Now Zealand. This bill provided that if the agreement was varied it must bo laid before Parliament within ten days of the next session. There was no intention of keeping from Parliament what the Executive had done. The bill was read a second time.

In committee, the Hon Mr Rigg mured to amend clause 2 (power to alter the original agreement in certain matters), to provide that no supplementary agreement should have the effect of extending the period of ten years of the present agreement. The amendment mas lost by 26 to 1. On clause 3 (copy of supplementary agreement to be laid before Parliament) the Hon Mr Rigg moved an amendment that agreements should be “ratified” by Parliament. This amendment mas lost by 21 to 1. The bill mas reported without amendment, read a third time and passed. Last night tbe Hon Mr Rigg gave notice to move that the action of the Speaker during the afternoon in ruling out of order his reference to the British Government as “a disreputable Government” mas an infringement of the privileges of a private member of the Legislative Council,