WANT-OF-CONFIDENCE.

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 15270, 21 June 1923, Page 5

WANT-OF-CONFIDENCE.

MR WILFORD'S INDICTMENT

AGGREGATION OF ESTATES. FAVOURS FOR THE WEALTHY. By Telegraph-—Special to Times. ' WELLINGTON, Wednesday. Before a full House and full galleries Mr T. M. Wilford (Leader of the Opposition) launched his no-confl-dence motion this afternoon. Much of the ground covered in his motion in the short session in February was gone over again. He said that just as every party passed through its three stages, so Reform had long passed its meridian,, and its fall was imminent. The Reform Party had told the people that the dawn was breaking, that the country Was rouhd the corner, and that Providence would look 'after them, but there Was poor consolation for the homeless and Workless in Providence and the morning suh. Far from keeping to their cry for "Settlement and more settlement," the Reform Party had allowed the aggregation of big estates during their regime. Referring to the Government's policy of advances for workers' dwellings, he said they were identical with those Of Mr Theodore, the Labour Premier for Queensland. People could not get cheap houses because trusts and combines, whose cause was helped by the Government, controlled prices of materials for building. The State Advances'Department had energy without direction. Instancing the need for electoral reform, he quoted the case of the British Prime Minister, Mr Stanley Baldwin, for whose party 5,000,000 votes were cast, and against whom there were no fewer than 8,000,000 Of votes. Turning to finance, Mr Wilford claimed that Mr Massey was misleading the country in saying that he floated the recent loan at four per cent. He commended the State Bank proposal, and disputed the theory that it would destroy competition. The same cry was heard when the State insurance Department was established, and'which was the cause of bringing about big reductions in rates for insurance. Ho criticised the. Government's action in allowing the wealthy, who could invest money, to take up local body dobehtures, and get off with the cheaper rate of taxation of 2s 6d on incomes. Mr Wilford paid a good deal of consideration to,the Imperial Conference, asserting that Mr Massey, who was in power with a minority, should not be allowed to make a considered proposal to the conference about matters affecting New Zealand without first getting approval from the House and the country to his proposals. The Government pension administration was robbing soldiers and public servants. Hon. C. J. Parr Replies. Mr Wilford was followed immediately by Hon. c, J. parr, Minister of Education, who took him to task for his inaccuracy about several matters affecting the Government. Mr Parr claimed that the representation of tlie Reform Party in the country was greater than ever, and the party was not by any means a dying one. lie vigorously defended the soldier settlement policy, and made interesting observations regarding naval defence. Following Britain's decision to iTitablish a naval base it was proposed, lie said, to replace H.M.S. Chatham with a better type of warship, an oil burner,, and he hoped the country would increase its naval contributions in order to assist the Imperial Government, who had undertaken an expenditure of £21,000,000 for a naval base at Singapore. Another statement that fell from the lips of Mr Parr will bring pleasure to returned soldiers in receipt of pensions—namely, that following the report of the Pensions Commission, legislation would be introduced by the Government that would involve a further increase of from £50,000 to £60,000 annually oh soldiers' pensions. "■' ■ ..

A FURTHER AMENDMENT.

MOVED BY MR A. T. NGATA

WELLINGTON, Wednesday

Hon. A. T. Ngata will move the following addition to Mr, Nash's amendment on the Address-in-Roply:—"But feel that the sossion should not end until such business Is completed as is necessary in tlie interests of the country. . »