CARRIED

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 98, 7 December 1928, Page 6

CARRIED

NO (WHENCE AMENDMENT

GOVERNMENT BEATEN. PRIME MINISTER’S ADDRESS. XO FEELING OVER ELECTION. WELLINGTON, Thi s Day. Thei House met at 10.30 a.m., when Ministers presented a number of departmental reports, and! .they were ordered to be printed. At 10.30 a.m. the Prim© Minister began his speech on th© motion before the House,*and Sir Joseph Ward’s amendment there,on.

He opened by making extensive cpiotationg from newspaper reports of Sir J. G. Ward’s speech at Auckland, to show ha was not intentionally misrepresenting him, when he (Mr Coates) criticised this policy, as one in which seventy millions were to be raised in one year. After Sir J. G. Ward’s correction was made, public he (Mr Coates) had not repeated big former criticism.

MORE DETAILS WANTED. He expressed keen disappointment ! that Sir Joseph Ward’s speech yesterday wag not fuller, in details as to how he proposed to raise the money and what he proposed to do with it. He. had indicated that he proposed to do some railway construction out or surpluses, but he had to get the surpluses first. Ten millions would not complete the unfinished railways, and they could not be finished in four years. The days for haphazard expenditure in Hew 1 Zealand had gone. Hon Members: It finishes to-day.

' economical effect. Continuing, Mr Coates said the people had little idea of the economic effect of the completion of these lines.' He made himself familiar, with the facts of the case, and he said if they endeavoured to do construction work by big contracts they would not get it don© as cheaply as if they let Labour contracts in New Zealand where, they had been well able, to do that class of work.

Sir Joseph Ward had not shown the railways he proposed to complete would, make an economic ieturn to the country ho had anticipated. Money wasted had to be paid for. and they had to carefully examine each case and consider whether they were wise in completing all the lines suggested by Sir J. C. Ward. mangahao scheme. They had engineers in New Zealand as good as any in the world, and although the Mangahao hydro electric works were constructed at the most expensive period, he was confident that the scheme would ho a benefit to the country.

The reason they had to let certain works to large contractors .wag to give the system a trial. There was a wide public demand that this trial should he made, but he was now of opinion that cur public works could be more cheaply constructed by labour contract with good engineers to guide them.

The point, however, was that it was necessary to go most carefully into the cost of the railways proposed to be finished by Sir Joseph Ward, and the economic result to the country. It would he found that much triotv money than Sir Joseph Ward anticipated; would be required, and the results in many cases would bo problematical. THE LOAN. With regard to the CO millions to It© lent to settlers he said this would mean the State would become the

only lender, and that wag not a good thing. There was more money available for investment in New Zealand than for many years, and the rales of interest were falling. OTHER TROUBLES. Ho maintained the high rates of interest were not the farmers’ troubles in t.big country. There were other charges such as local rates, and the cost of transport, which were more serious). His Government had don© much to, relieve these burdens. Sixtv millions would, not give Sir limsoph Ward what he wants, hut he strongly reommended! him to set aside a portion of this money for the deyel-, opment of new country. j i MEASURE OF SUPPORT. | If thig were done a certain measure | of support would come from him. It ' j was on the primary producer we must | depend for stability, and the money I must ho expended] in such a way as

to encourage this living asset. NATIVE RACE. After making feeling reference to tlid illness of the King, Mr Coates vid he l.Vad noi feeiing of rancorn about the election, and if ho could ; bo of any help he would always bo | ready to give his assistance for wha> lit was worth. j Ho made a special' plea for fair I treatment of the native race, who i were above all party considerations, j, AMENDMENT CARRIED. The Honjse then proceeded to take a division on Sir J. G. Ward’s (amendment of no confidence in the Government which' resulted in the amendmemt boijjg carried by oO to 28. AFTER the division.

After Division ti/o result ol which Was - Ireceived. in silence, tine mover briefly (neplied (afoul 'it was

j agreed that the Address as . amcirdied by 'Sir Joseph Ward bo presented to His Excellency. | \rhe tS'pe) ijlvjoii- 1 intimated that his ; Excellency wins to receive! iit at 12.50, and it was agreed that Ton this being done the House would resume at 2.30.