PREMIER'S REPLY.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LV, Issue 13929, 12 June 1909, Page 3

PREMIER'S REPLY.

Regarding Mr. Allen's statement as to tho financial cleaning-up in 1887, tho Premier said he was one of those who had helped the Atkinson Government in doing so. Mr. Allen had turther said the Government's financial position was not sound. He denied that entirely. Tho position of Mr. >>'gata was perfectly constitutional, and one in accoidauce with precedent. He denied Mr. Allen's statement that he (the Premier) had scoffed at Australia's defence proposals. Sir Joseph Ward quoted his statement at the Imperial Conference in regard to military defence ot the dominion, and advocated uniformity throughout the Empire in volunteer and other defence forces. Regarding Mr. Allen's suggestion that New Zealand and Australia should have navies ot their own the Premier quoted an authority as stating it would be fifty years before an Australian navy could be ot any use. The late Sir John Colomb had called it "a squirt." It was our bounden duty to help the British Government to bring the navy to a state of efficiency. He concluded with au appeal to the parties to sink all differences on this question. Mr. Fisher continued the debate at considerable length, after which Mr. Buick moved' the adjournment. Sir Joseph Ward gave notice to move "That this House approves of the action of the Government in its offers of assistance to the Imperial Navy in the terms conveyed to th© Home Government in the despatch of March 27." The House rose at 11.30. WELLINGTON, June 12. The House met at 10.30. The debate on the Address-in-Reply was continued, by Mr. Buick, who said it was the duty of the House to eoniirm the Government's offer of a Dreadnought, though he considered it should first have oeen submitted to Parliament. He believed the Premier 1 would learn a lesson or two at Home. It was a great pity the business should not go on in his absence. He held that young men were leaving the country because they had no chance here. Mr. Luke said he would vote for the amount. He claimed to be an independent member.. The Premier was putting the interests of party before those of the country. .He condemned the adjournment of the session. Mr. Hogg referred to remarks by the Opposition on his own and his colleagues' position. He denied that they were dumb dogs. He had not sought his present position. He charged the Leader of the Opposition with seeking to accompany the Premier Home. Me regretted the fact that men were out of work, but no attempts were made to reduce wages. . He expressed himself strongly on the subject of land monopoly, and contended it was large estates that were largely responsible for the present distress . Land settlement would have to go on side by side with land taxation. . He had always regarded land monopoly as a crime. He explained his remarks regarding a note issue by the State. His- idea was to make capital as plentiful ae> possible. • , Mr. Buchanan said he was in a position to prove that the suggestion that Mr. Massey should accompany the Premier emanated ffom the Government Bide. The Premier said he could prove otherwise. Mr. Buchanan went on to criticise Mr. Hogg's speech, and said he would be better employed in settling Crown lands and opening up Native lands than in lecturing the Opposition. .He hoped the Premier would frankly state what he felt himself empowered to do at tho conference. The Honso adjourned till 2.80.