LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12181, 4 July 1925, Page 7

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

ADDRESS-IN-REPLY DEBATE IMPORTANCE OF DOMINION PRODUCTS NEW ZEALAND AND THE EMPIRE Tho Legislative Council resumed the debate on the Address-in-Reply yesterday afternoon. The Hon. Sir Thomas Mackenzie (Otago), in referring to the visit of the Amevican fleet, spoke strongly in favour of closer union between the United States and the British Empire. The statements which had been circulated freely in some quarters to the effect that the Americans thought that they had won tho war and' similar statements unfavourable to thau country were merely so much propaganda brought up to strain the relations between the two nations. He referred at some length to the support given by the United States during the Great War. ‘‘The future of the world lay in the hands of the great Englishspeaking nations,” ,he said, ‘‘and 'anything that could 'be done to bring about a closer union between these nations was in the interests, not only of Britain, but of the whole world. (Applause.) Referring to the statement made on Thursday by the Hon. Sir J. R. Sinclair in favour of the establishment of a consultative body in representing the Dominions in England, he said that he agreed substantially with the reply of Sir Francis Bell, to the effect that there was only one authority which could express an adequate opinion on Empire questions, and that was the representative of the British Government. The appointment of second-class representatives —for it would not be possible that the Prime Minister should attend—would not he as effective as the present system of cable communication between the heads of the different Governments. He went on to speak of the necessity of stabilising the prices ef the produce of the-country, and dwelt at considerable length on the wool trade and the necessity of improved methods of production a,nd packing, stating that from reports submitted to him fully 50 per pent, of the labour used in manufacture of woollen goods went to the removal of impurities before spinning. BOgDY OF OVER-PRODUCTION Speaking on the subject of control. Sir Thomas strongly advocated the extension of the principle, under proper safeguards. In speaking of the importance of the New Zealand product he stated that’ more_ than half of the total frozen mutton imported into Britain since the beginning of,,feezing, zame from New Zealand. The-amdirint of butter exported was also such as «o make it an effective factor in the fixing of prices. He deprecated the statements., circulated at times as to the competition which New Zealand would have to face fyom the Argentine in connection with mutton' and wool, and: Siberia as.,to. butter, statjng • that these reports were too often circulated forl the express purpose of depressing markets, JR©., advocated tb© I ,«p£ed|rig-. up hf **th'e shinning.services, vvhich would enable Now Zen land beef, to 'be sept Home in a chilled form instead of .jj^asdp, not J#:a',:®rty'd»yp‘ service instead of, a six weeks one as at present. ' He stated that not onlv would this, work in the matter of beef, but would enable New Zealand fruit to be sent over, and bring large numbers of tourists to the country. He would, be remarked, recommend this question to the Leader of the Council. The Hon. Sir Francis Bell: I don’t want the touristß.

Sir Thomas Mackenzie :• If they leave a few thousand: behind it will be all right. Sir Francos Bell;. The- hotels would only get it. Continuing, Sir Thomas stressed the necessity of a better means of introducing New Zealand butter to the tables of Great Britain. ‘*l believe,” said Sir Thomas, ‘‘arid this is not only my opinion hut that of Reading butter merchants in Great Britain, that there is not anything as good as New Zealand butter introduced into England. This does not apply to tho flavour alone, but to the manner in whioh it is j»poduoed, the sanitation of our dairies, and health of our herds, and the oare exercised in Government grading.” (Apjdause.) THE PUBLIC HEALTH The Hon. \V. H. Triggs (Canterbury) dealt principally with questions of public health, and advocated the institution of private wardß at publio hospitals, which, he stated, would merely enable those who paid the greatest amount towards the upkeep of those institutions to take advantage of them. He dwelt at length with the commissions which had inquired into the question of venereal disease, and of mental defectives. One of the recommendations of the commission on the latter subject was the provision of a clinic at the public hospitals where those displaying incipient insanity might receive treatment. This he suggested should have excellent results,as encouraging such people to undergo treatment, whereas under existing conditions they avoided doing so, as they objected to be committed to institutions for the insane. He concluded by entering a strong plea for tbe serious consideration of such weighty questions.