MORE SPEECHES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 July 1939, Page 6

MORE SPEECHES

THE ADDRESS=IN=REPLY DEBATE OUR NAVAL CONTRIBUTION. INCREASE ADVOCATED. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Half-a-dozen contributions were made yesterday to the Adress-in-Re-ply debate in the House of Representatives. The speakers included Mrs Slewart (Government, Wellington West), who was loudly applauded at the start and finish of her address, which lasted about of an hour. She wore a black evening dress and black velvet bridge coat. The only speech from the Opposition side of the House was that of Mr Allen (Hauraki), one of the new members of the National Party. Like the other members of the party who entered Parliament for the first time at the last general election he is an effective debater. The main subjects he discussed were farmers’ problems and defence. Mr Allen advocated a biger contribution by New Zealand toward the support of the British Navy and the adoption of universal military service for home defence. He contended that if this were done it would be a gesture that would stand this country in good stead in the future. The Government speakers in add! /W~ tion to Mrs Stewart included Dr McMillan (Dunedin West). Referring to the Governor-Generalship he said he thought it would be quite a good gesture occasionally to appoint a New Zealand citizen, and he was sure none could fill the position better than the Speaker of the House, Mr Barnard. New Zealand had come of age, and such a move would be a step in the right direction. The House adjourned at 10.30 p.m. till today.