"DORA" DEBATE

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 32, 1 November 1919, Page 7

"DORA" DEBATE

WAR EMERGENCY LAWS CONTINUANCE BILL

VIGOROUS CRITICISM IN THE COMMONS

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, October 28. Hi r Gordon Hewart (Attorney-General), in moving tbo second reading of liio War Emergency Laws Continuance Bill, explained that the Bill intended to continuo certain parts of tho Defence of tbe licalm Act (opprobiouslv referred to as "Bora") and other war-time regulations. but abolished tho passport: regulations, the power of billeting soldiers, tho prohibition of processions, and imprisonment without trial. The ndmfnistrators of Jroliuu! had advised that in tho present f-tate of affairs tho iscopo of the original Bill t-liould not yet Iw diminished'. ■ • ■

Criticism of Hie Bill took the line that the regulations were no longer necessary. and culminatod in au ainendmeut bv Sir 1". Banbury to adjourn the debate. lo enable tho Government to inIroducc a, more acceptable measure. 31 r. Bonar Law pointed out that Hie Peace Treaty would probably lie ratified in Vebruary or March; possibly it would be ratified before next session, therefore tho Government could not take the J'isk nf a postponement. Tho sudden withdrawal of the regulations woulo' result in eli,'ins. The Bill would operate for I he. maximum of a year. Tho abandonment of the regulations would cause a serious coal shortage. I'riees_of food and coal would, enormously. -Tho country was making marvellous strides' towards resumption of normal conditions, and the. Bill was necessary for the protection of trade. The House must liiako lip its mind whether tho clatter outside, suggesting that the Government: had lost the confluence. of the nation was not-true. The amendment was. defeated by 28:j votes to 7". —A us.-N./i. Cable Assn'.