HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23865, 20 July 1939, Page 10

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

STATEMENT ON DEFENCE

'From Our Parliamentary Reporter > WELLINGTON, July, 19. The feature of to-day’s sitting of the House- of Representatives was the outline of the Government’s defence policy in respect of the army, navy and Air Force given during the Address-in-Reply debate by the Minister of Defence, Mr F. Jones. Mr Jones emphasised the development that has taken „place in all branches of the services and replied to criticism made earlier in the debate by members of the Opposition. There was one maiden speaker in the debate which occupied the whole of the sitting. This was Mr C. F. Skinner (Govt., Motueka), who spoke with assurance and went really well when he talked from.a personal knowledge of the condition* on public works under previous Administrations.

Other speakers during the day were Mr J. Robertson . ,(Govt,, Masterton), Sir Alfred Ransome (Opposition, Pahiatua), Mr H. Atmore (Independent, Nelson), who reiterated some monetary theories, Mr W. J. Lynn (Govt., Waitemata) and Mr E. B. Gordon (Opposition, Rangitikei), who finished the speech which he commenced last night. The House rose at 10.30 p.m.