THE NAVAL QUESTION.

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume IX, Issue 2572, 8 June 1909, Page 2

THE NAVAL QUESTION.

NEW ZEALAND PARLIAMENT ' tl YESTERDAY'S INFORMAL MEETING. ALL MEMBERS PRESENT^ STATEMBNTWf TJSJE PREMIER.

ll,v Tele graph.-l'reS Ashociatiun. this day. ' The informal mooting if Parliament to consider tho representation of tho Govcriimont at the Imperial Naval Conl'oronco, and whether Parliament would adjourn to enable the Premier to attend, was opened at 3 o'clock yester-. day afternoon. Every/goat in the Mouse- and the gallorioif were occupied by the uiombors of both Houses. Having stated that ho would not ask ■for tho appointment of a chairman, out would himself preside, Sir Joseph Ward explained that ho had called tho members togothor in tho only way possible under tho circumstances. The members of the Upper House had been invited to be preosnt, not to tako part in ihe general discussion, but to hear what had to bo said, and then to consider tho matter separately. Until a decision was arriyeu at as to tho adjournment of the session it _ would bo impossible to inform tho British vGovernmont whother tho Dominion would be represented, lie was glad to yo Mr. Massoy present, as he was always desirous to recognise the position of the leader of tho Opposition, roaming that ho cotdd only act with tho general co-oporation of members. Ho felt it was hotter that he should como before, them and make a general statement, and bo guided by the general soiiso of tho membors assembled. Ho explained that if tho representation of Now Zealand was to bo by the Prime Minister, and that Parliament was lo'adjourn, llm necessary steps would bo taken to get an extension of supplies, ami tho Speech from the Throne would he a short one, If tho House decided that tho Government wore not to lie represented, then His Excelloucy would liavo to bo advised differently. If tho invitation was refused tho Government would lay itself opon to a charge of indifference. Tho conference was an epoch-making one. Mr. T. E. Taylor asked how it was tlujt iho Commonwealth had accepted tho invitation without taking the course which Sir Joseph Ward had adopted. Sir Josoph Ward said that ho w-fciild answer airy questions later. Continuing, he said that tho time had arrived for Parliament •to say whether it would uphold tho offer of a Dreadnought, or two if necessary, to tho British Government, and ho would ask Parliament to say ayo or nay; also to say whothor tho Dominion should he represented at the conference Ho intimated that a despatch which was oxpected had not reached His Excellency, as apparently tho Homo Governmoiit woro awaiting the result of this conference, v The Primo Minister then read voluminous correspondence which hat) passed respecting the Dreadnought oflor, and various despatches botwecu tho British and New Zealand Governments, tho substanco of all of which has already been published, Ho estimated that tho necessary loan could bo raised at 3 per cent., which, with one per cent, sinking fund, would amount to £BO,OOO a year, a not too heavy insurance on commorco. Tho Cabiik' had ontiroly concurred in tho whole"'proposal, and His Excellency was asked to submit it to tho British Government. A despatch had also boon received in which the Now Zealand Govornmont woro asked to ho represented at the Imperial Confereuco to bo hold in July, and a further one expressing tho hope that Sir Josoph Ward, as Minister for Defence, would seo his way clear to be present. Continuing, tho Premier said that tho Government would not agree to tho suggestion that someono not a Minister of tho Crown should represent tho Dominion at such an important conforonco, which tho secretary of State had intimated had, among other things to consider tho offer of a Dreadnought or two from New Zealand. Tho Homo Govornmont desired the representatives of tho oversea dominions to bo present, and tho responsibility was upon Parliament to say whether and by whom Now Zealand should ho represented; The conference was of an unprecedented character, and the Ministry was unanimously of opinion that at such an important gathering the head o tho Govornmont ought to represent ho nonunion. (Applause). He relerred to what ho described as an indecent suggestion, that ho had sent a telegram to tho editors of tho press, iiiul had not seen lit to send a similar telegram to membors. .Mr. T. E Taylor: Road the telegram. I will do so if vou don't. Sir Joseph Ward retorted that Mr. aylor could do so. Thetelgram was marked Strictly confidential,'' and he had sent it to the editors of tho press, hut it remained for ono editor in New wiilimd to refer lo tho message. . He had never onco in his career disused ««■' wiitents of a confidential telegram, Hour hear.) Ho had found tho editors ol tho press reasonable men. without exception .Ho had intemlcdat Hie ''inclusion ~f the meeting reading the '''gram,| meii.bers wanted it, after he id removed the words "Strictly ;7'»l««.al.- If a member of We uZZ I " MV,,^ l,l 1 l ,l)^siouyfK llc !ia Wegiam saw lit to read it, he could S oseph/\Urd: No. You titrea%iIto >«> d it, and I said y m , could do

Sir Joseph Ward said that in conto look at tins matter f rom a narlv ' sUl ' l question thoy ought to riso frrt. Atthotf, tl boiiictluiie which had not then been ' off I, f ,fictl them , " m » kin B *■>"> wi'oipout tlio country. Tho action of Sir Joseph quoted from a sneoch do»»'maintained that'itv « n ,£ villi authority to act, s tho cco' U . , ° lse ad.ioitfn ng, ho,™ luSi. M " SSOy *^ foi '- Sir Joseph Ward said that nil ■■«,.' t'mo. He had asked Mr. f\J " «>n to move a resolution. Mr Duncan moved to the effort thai the Premier ehoitld wpreeat tS'flX •

Parliament should adjourn until Soptemboi'.SO. , Ou the suggestion of Mr. mm\ the. meeting'adjourned at 6.16 until iA to allow tho momoranda to bo printed. ' DEBATE IN THE HOUSE. VIEWS OF THE OPPOSITION. THE lUtEMIERTO GO HOME. MEKJS IN SEITOIREIt. . Ibis day. ()• Winning ai (.lid, Mr. Massoy statwNfhe position taken up by the Opptwlioii. Tliey wanted to kco Sir Josidi Ward go Home, but the business tfie session should not bo delayed. It was a rellwtion on the Premiers colleagues to suggest that mmo of tlicm could lead tho House in Jus absence. Putting our own country in a stale ol defence would bo Hie best way of helping Hie motherland. Mr. T. E. Taylor criticised the Government's action in refusing lo disci"* certain despatches, and ignoring' ni''"'- ■ luent in connection with the ««V r ."' " Dreadnought, while consulafmg it m regard to Hie Defence Conloronce He read Hie telegram sent by Sir Joseph Ward to the prcs.'.cdilors. Air Allen moved nil niiU'iu nie.iU. ..■j'l,„'| if is advkible lo proceed with the work of Parliament." M««* Kishor, llordnian. Malcolm. Wr'mhl. McLaren, and Anderson sup--1,,,,-tcd the amendment, and Mr. \ i»»r Ilrown opposed it. . . At one o'clock the Pi-eimer I'"' <«" uueslion. mid (he divifiion resulted ;- For the rcrolulion.lv against,..!".