FEDERAL HOUSE

Southland Times, Issue 18973, 21 June 1923, Page 5

FEDERAL HOUSE

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE. MR BRUCE DEFENDS HIS ATTITUDE. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) MELBOURNE, June 20. In the House of Represenatives Mr Anstey (Deputy-leader of the Labour Party) twitted Mr Bruce with not daring to leave the Country section of his Party in charge while he was absent in England. He said Mr Bruce claimed that the internal problems of Australia were subsidiary to and could be solved only after the problems of the Empire. Mr Bruce was going overseas to convert the British people to preference, but preference was only so much dope which would disappear at the first breath of reality. The real question was one of defence. Whether the people of Australia moved a hand or not they could be certain that navies and armies would move out to defend Imperial capital invested in British possessions. It was for Australia to defend herself, not only against the Reds, but also against moneyed power which sought to enmesh the peoples of the world and extend the area of human misery. He disclaimed against a policy of preparing, for further wars. It was sought to intimidate the people and waste their substance in preparations for war, instead of using it to build up industry. The duty of Parliament was to lay the economic foundations of defence and rebuild civilisation.

Mr Bruce replied that the reason for adjourning Parliament was that Australia’s representative must go to the Imperial Conference fully accredited. With Parliament open the Leader of the Opposition would be making speeches declaring that he (Mr Bruce) had not got the confidence of the people. Regarding the Empire’s foreign policy, his only object was that if Australia was to share in defence, she should have a voice in the framing of the foreign policy of the Empire. As to defence, without a proper defence scheme Australia’s position was most precarious. She had staked her existence on a White Australia policy. It was a challenge to the world which they must be prepared to maintain. As to the Imperial preference, a proposal for Empire reciprocity was one which would benefit both sides. CENSURE MOTION DEFEATED. MELBOURNE, June 20., In the House of Representatives a censure motion was defeated by 37 to 24. Mr Anstey moved a further amendment demanding that a foreign policy should be formulated by the House, and opposing the closing of Parliament during Mr Bruce’s absence. Mr Bruce explained that it was the wish of the Ministry, not himself, that Parliament should close while he was in England. The debate was adjourned.