PARLIAMENT

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 87, 6 November 1918, Page 4

PARLIAMENT

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIH, jl . ■ ' % Per Press Association, Wellington, November o. The Legislative Council met at 2.30. The Hou. Earnshaw asked for 1 a return relative to the censorship of hooks and publications. Sir Francis Bell said he would make no difficulty in granting the return, but the Government must exercise a discretion as to what portion of the return was for the public benefit. 'Sir Francis 801 l moved the adjournment to mark the Austrian collapse. The Council adjourned at 3 p’.ni.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30. THE AUSTRIAN ARMISTICE. Mr Massey at once rose and moved that the House adjourn till 2.30 on Wednesday, to mark the signing of tiie armistice between the Allies and Austria-Hungary, He said he used the word armistice in hia ■ motion, but it was well known that the surrender of Austria-Hungary was practically unconditional. The news received during the past few days would be hailed with delight, not only in, New Zealand, but in all parts of the British Empire and the countries of the Allies. It was an important occasion, because it meant that the last of Germany’s allies had gone qut of the war, and Germany now stood alone, and could not stand long. Her sands were running, and running fast, so that we now knew that Germany must either take up the same position that was now occupied by her old friends or submit to a decisive defeat. We have been looking for peace, but we shall not have long to wait. He recalled the position during the late short session, when our men were being driven back, and it‘looked as if the Germans would reach Paris. Sir Douglas Haid had issued his memorable order, that they had their backs to the wall, and every man must stand firm. Troops were sent across the Channel in great numbers and munitions were hurried to France, an appeal being made to every dominion, and he was glad to say New Zealand was in the van with her response. , American troops came into the breach in hundreds of thousands. Everyone rose to the occasion, and it was soon seen that we could again assume the offensive. Everyone knew how our troops had stood the German shock and broke it. Then our men Avent forward and reached a position which Avas highly satisfactory, but avc need scarcely say it Avould be much more satisfactory when Germany stands Avhere Austria-Hungary stood to-day. Mr Massey predicted a good time after the Avar, when Ave should have a better idea of citizenship and comradeship. He thought Ave did not pay sufficient attention to the- celebration, of important events and great names, and illustrated what he meant by describing what he had seen, of America’s celebration of “Independence Day,” “Memorial Day,” and other historic occasions. His advice to his felloAA-citizens of New Zealand Avas: “Go thou and do likewise.” Our rising generation should he taught more clearly the value of pride of race and pride of Empire; more of the love of country as symbolised by the Union Jack with its blending of the three crosses. Another cross, lie thought, should hoav be added to mark the close association betAveen the Mother Country and the Dominions. In concluding, Mr Massey said avo had had dark days during this momentous struggle, but they were oyei uoAv. Our record Avas one of which avc had every reason to he proud of in this struggle, as in those of past years. Our Empire Avas fighting on the side of justice and truth. The question we now should ask ourselves was: Shall we go on building up, or shall we give Avay to luxury and ease. To his mind, our duty was to go on and leave to our children a better and brighter Empire than we ourselves inherited. SIR JOSEPH WARD’S VIEWS. Sir Joseph Ward, in seconding the motion, said there was no more effective way of commemorating the fine work done by our soldiers than by public rejoicings. When the war "as once over, one of the greatest benefits the world would derive would be the using of the combination of the Allies for promoting social schemes for uplifting mankind. This would be made easy by the fact that the war had changed most people’s ideas of life, and mostly changed for the gogt. We’ surely, should not miss the importunity of doing something to regenerate our being. The rejoicings of to-day were excellent, but theie will he ecstacies in a few weeks, when Germany avouUl he compelled to sign an armistice which meant her surrender. The sooner that happy event came the better for humanity. The House rose at 3.47, after singing the National Anthem.