ADDRESS-IN-REPLY DEBATE.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14340, 9 July 1914, Page 5

ADDRESS-IN-REPLY DEBATE.

The debate on the main question was resumed by Mr Brown, who censured the. Government for stopping the East Coast railway, while at the same time it started another railway in the Premier's district. Ample provision was not being made to teachers to attract the best men to the profession or keep them in it, better pay being given to the police than to teachers. Any increase given was forced ujion the Government by the Opposition. Mr Wilkinson justified extra expenditure of the Government bv the growth of the demands upon the State, which could not be deni -d unless they were going to cheek progress. Ho favoured a local navy. He considered the Japanese alliance as a rotten reed to depend upon for the defence of the Pacific. '1 he debate uas adjourned on th* motion of Mr McCombs, and the House ruse at 11,20 p.m.

A NARROW MAJORITY. (By Telegraph.---Spec ial to Herai.d.) WELLINGTON, July 8. 'lhere had been u noticeable reserve ou the part of Front Bench speakers during the last two days of the No-contidcuee debate. Evidently the leaders were anxious to test the question in the division lobbies. The issue was brought to a head at 8,.'10 o’cloek to-night, when it was found that the supporters of Sir Joseph Ward's amendment numbered '.H, and the opponents Oil, giving the Government a slender majority of five This result was received by the Opposition with hearty applause. The Government s win, ef course, was quite expected. Nobody looked for any sudden revelations in the division list, and if any uncertainly was felt, by “Reformers'' regarding the continued allegiance of Mr Clark (Chalmers), it was put at rest for the division. The Hon. ,1. A. Millar was also an absentee. Two Liberals were away, these being the lion. A, T. Ngata, who is ill, and the lion. D. Buddo who is returning from a trip abroad. Both wei« paired with Ministerialists