PARLIAMENT.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14339, 8 July 1914, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. i WELLINGTON, July 7. The House met at 2.30 p.m. FIRST BEADING. Leave was given Mr Hindniarsh to introduce the Imprisonment for Debt Limit-; ations Amendment Bill, which was read a first time, TRIBUTE TO MR CHAMBERLAIN, j i '■ The Hon. W. F. Massey, intimated] that on hearing of the death of thei Hon. Joseph Chamberlain he sent a cablej to Mrs Chamberlain condoling with hep bn the death of her distinguished hus-j baud, and had that day received a reply tendering the thanks of her family for the sympathy. • Sir Joseph Ward, on behalf of his side of the House, said'he would endorse the sentiments expressed ip the Premier’s cable, He eulogised the life’s work of the late Mr Chamberlain, who was one of the greatest Englishmen. THE. NO-CONFIDENCE DEBATE. The debate on the Address-in-Eeply was resumed by Mr Escott, who spoke witn pleasure upon the, prosperous state of our primary industries, the operation of the Public Service Acts, and the proposal to improve the, position of teachers and the increase of salaries. He contended it was misrepresentation to say that the Government, contemplated the establishment of an independent navy. Mr Seddon urged that the. Government should give some indication when, the Cost of Living Commission’s report would be discussed. He deprecated, the failure to give the West Coast representation upon the Agricultural Board. He complained that/the Governor’s Speech made no mention of mining legislation. Since the Government came into office there had been a sad falling off in the attention given to goldMlds. Mr Scott knew no country in the world in which the workers, were so well off, but the time must pome when the overloading of employers by high wages must end. It was not only the high wages, but the inefficiency of the workmen, which employers in both town and country had to contend with. Mr Isitt, while congratulating the members who proposed the Address-in-Eeply, said they bad performed the difficult task of’ making bricks without straw. He wanted to support Sir Joseph Ward’s amendment, although he did not suppose it would be carried. The Government supporters were so supine and lamblike in their submission that they would submit to anything put forward by their leaders. He condemned the native land legislation of the Government, which was against the interests of the natives. T l ' one great cry of the Government was, settlement, and still more settlement.

On resuming at 7-30 p.m., Mr Isitt continued his speech. Ho complained that the small farmers were not represented upon the Agricultural Board, and contended there was aggregation directlj contributed to by the legislation placet! upon the Statute Book, by Mr Massey. Touching on defence, he . declared it was idle to say that six months ago. the Government was not in favour of an independent navy. The training of 60 men would cost ,£50,000 a year, or at a rate, of ,£2500 per man for a three years’ course. He ridiculed the suggestion that, the Reformers were not Conservative. It they did not carry thd : no-confidence motion. here, he hoped to see it carried in the country in six months’ time. Mr Rhodes (Thames) said the Speed) from the Throne was a commonsense document. The legislation passed last session had tended to bring about settlement.

The debate was continued during the evening sitting, and had not concludid when the telegraph office closed. 7