ADDRESS-IN-REPLY.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18609, 3 July 1930, Page 9

ADDRESS-IN-REPLY.

DEBATE OPENED IN HOUSE. By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, July 2. When the House of Representatives resumed at 7.30 this evening, Mr C. H. Clinkard (Rotorua) moved that a respectful address be presented to the Governor-General in reply to His Excellency’s speech. Mr Clinkard said reference had been made in the speech to the loyalty of the Maori race. This could very largely be attributed to the high standard that had been maintained by His Majesty’s representatives in New Zealand. The mover then referred to expressions of regret at the illness of Sir Joseph Ward, in which he participated. He added that Sir Joseph Ward’s work would not terminate with his relinquishing of office. He had cast his mantle on his colleagues, who should be able to continue the policy which the leader had initiated. Mr Clinkard then mentioned the Prime Minister s recent Financial Statement, which he said had been described as unduly pessimistic. In case of a financial statement, he asserted, it was not a matter of optimism or pessimism, but one of accuracy. The Prime Minister was well advised to take careful note of the state of the country’s finances. Referring to land settlement, Mr Clinkard applauded the system of land classification that had been introduced, and outlined, steps taken in land development, but he added that if the country were depending on land settlement alone to solve the unemployment problem. it would fail in its objective. The great mass of men employed by the Public Works Department would not always be able to find work in that quarter, and railway construction work must at some time come to an end. Further, there were children leaving school who would have to be provided with means of earning a living. To achieve this, it would be necessary to turn attention to developing the productive industries of the country. There

had recently been a very serious decline in the output and the number of men employed in the timber industry, while importations of timber from foreign countries, as well as from Canada, were increasing. Something must be done to protect our own industry. He refuted claim that New Zealand timber millers had been increasing their charges, and while he did not attribute the state of the industry to importations alone, he insisted that it would be necessary to place some check on the amount of timber coming into the country. He urged that some substantial protection should be given, and that any soft woods required should be obtained from Canada under some reciprocal arrangement, affecting, for instance, the importation of New Zealand butter in*o Canada. Mr Clinkard also advocated encouragement of the New

Zealand motor-body building industry, on the lines of insisting that a fixed percentage of chassis imported should be fitted with New Zealand-built bodies. The motion was seconded by Mr R. W*. 'Hawke (Kaiapoi), who expressed gratification at the improved health of t£e ’King, and extended a welcome to Lord and Lady Bledisloe. He went on to voice the hope that Sir Joseph Ward would soon be able to return to the House, and once more give his colleagues the benefit of his counsel. He supported Mr Clinkard’s references to thfe recent statement on the cquntry’s finances, which he considered was the action of a man who was determined to do what he thought was right and in the interests of the people. Mr Hawke referred to the more peaceful state of affairs in Samoa, and paid tribute to the Minister of Defence (Hon. J. G. Cobbe), whose visit, he considered, had been largely responsible for the improved conditions. He believed that if any mistake had been made in regard to Samoa, the present Minister of Defence would be able to rectify it. Mr

Hawke next dealt with the position of the railways. He declared that it would be impossible to-day for railways which had originally been constructed for the transport of grain to pay their way, because much of that land had now been turned to different uses. He felt that when the Commission now sitting had completed its work, there would be clamour from some quarters for retention of certain railways, although it would be known that they could not pay. He believed that under the conditions of to-day there should be very careful consideration before anyone recommended construction of branch lines. Touching on unemployment, Mr Hawke expressed appreciation of the efforts of the Minister of Public Works and he also acclaimed the wisdom of the policy of afforestation that was being carried out. He supported the remarks of Mr Clinkard on the subject of the development of productive industries, and urged that attention should be given to the woollen and to boot trades. In both these cases we had good raw material in this country, we had the necessary workers, buildings and markets, but still we sent money out of the country instead of supporting our own industries to the full. Mr Hawke expressed approval of the policy of bringing pumice land into productivity and stated that it had been shown to be possible to prepare this land for occupation at a cost at something over £7 per acre. In reference to the purchase of land for settlement, he urged the Minister never to hesitate to purchase good land, but to take care not to pay too high a price for it. Settlers should never be placed on land incapable of producing a fair return for their labour. The debate was adjourned on the motion of the Hon. J. G. Coates, and the House rose at 8.35 p.m. till 2.30 tomorrow.