EMERGENCY BILL

Evening Star, Issue 23371, 14 September 1939, Page 17

EMERGENCY BILL

DSBIIS POWERS FOR GOVERNMENT PROMISE OF WISE DISCRETION (Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON., September 13. Moving in the House of Representatives the second reading of the Emergency Regulations Rill, the Hon. R. Fraser said he would like the Bill to go through as expeditiously as members considered possible. Me outlined the necessity for war regulations, which had been found necessary in 1911, staling that some measures then enacted were still ready to bo put into operation if the necessity arose. A large part

of the Bill, he said, was based on the English measure, and even the wording of the British and the New Zealand measures were identical in many places. Some alterations, however, were, of course, necessary to meet local conditions.

The Minister then briefly outlined the various clauses of the Bill, and said its main provisions covered almost every conceivable emergency. Mr Holland: Can you control New

Zealand ships in Australia? Mr Fraser: Yes. If an owner wished to sell a ship registered in New Zealand wo could prevent transfer to the new owner.

The Minister continued that persons accused of offences under the Bill would not be denied trial by a jury if they so desired. He reiterated his statement when introducing the measure that this was a time of emergency, and emergency precautions were necessary, and ho stressed the fact that similar Bills were being enacted in Britain and throughout the Empire. The Bill contained powers which were essential, he said, but such powers should be wisely exercised, and it depended ou how wisely whether the measure would bo used beneficially or harmfully. The Leader of the Opposition, Mr Hamilton, said there was no doubt that the Bill contained very drastic condiThe very name of it had an unpleasant sound in the ear, not so soothing, for instance, as social security. The Bill did contain drastic powers, but the Minister told them they were necessary, so that this country could give of her best, both internally and overseas. It must serve to show the people of New Zealand that the country was at war, because ho did not believe such legislation would be introduced by this or any other Government unless there were a real emergency. The Bill was very drastic, and under it there was a definite curtailment of personal freedom. Government interjection: So is the war.

Mr Hamilton: “ Yes, that is so, but I have just stated that this Governwould not bring down a measure of this nature unless there were an emergency.” It provided an example of how far we were prepared to go in providing the machinery for the defence of our cherished principles. We were fighting for the heritage wo had enjoyed, ho said, and wished to retain. The Minister had told them that the Bill was similar in its provisions to those of Britain. We could often do very well in following Britain’s example, he said, not, slavishly, but the Old Country’s experience and wise guidance were very valuable to us. He referred to the confidence which the British people reposed in the British Government, and continued that the present Bill in New Zealand would almost amount to the adjourning of Parliament and allowing the Executive Council to govern the country. It almost amounted to martial law. It was a great thing for the Government to have behind it the goodwill and confidence of the people who were to be asked to submit to the regulations, and this would enable the Government to conduct this war successfully. “ I am sure,” Mr Hamilton said, “that the Government will make an effort to see that no use is made of these regulations that will unduly disturb any of the people, and that they will be used to protect the goodwill of the people. Drastic diseases need drastic remedies, but in times like these people are willing to submit so that the national effort will have the great-. est effect. It will depend on how the Government uses the extreme power placed m its hands. It is its duty to see that it is used wisely ancl judiciously. It will be a test of the Government’s good faith to tho people. To administer these powers to tho satisfaction, of the people, they must be used with caution and judgment, and I am sure that the Government will do that. I trust and am sure it will.”

Mr Hamilton expressed the hope that the powers given under the Bill would be used for the duration of the war only, and that they would then bo repealed. It was not usually wise for a Government to take extreme powers under which it could do drastic things without the consent of Parliament, but under the Bill Parliament was being asked to hand over its (powers to Cabinet and the Executive Council.

It had been suggested to him, said Mr Hamilton, that Parliament should be adjourned and called back from time to time, as necessary, but he agreed that this might be a slow method. However, if drastic powers must be used he thought Parliament should have the opportunity of expressing its opinion on them. Ho hoped and trusted that the powers under these regulations would never be needed. Our citizens wore a freedom-loving people, and the drastic powers under the Bill would make them sit up and take notice. It was perhaps just as well that they should, but he would strongly advise anyone who considered talking action which would hamper the Government in the prosecution of the war to read the regulations first. The Opposition, ho said in conclusion, had offered the Government its cooperation in any matters necessary, and it would acquiesce with the Government’s desire for the Bill and would not unnecessarily obstruct the measure. POLITICS WAIVED. Mr Forbes said that to-day there were no politics in this country. Their differences of opinion had disappeared. The people were united, and they could bo depended on to stand up to adversity to the very end. The Government would have no problem to meet in that respect. The Opposition realised the necessity of giving the Government the fullest possible support in the step it was contemplating. The whole of the country's resources had to be properly organised, and any person placing obstruction between the people and the achievement of that objective should be punished severely.

Unless we are united in war we will be like a man fighting with his hands tied behind his back. A long struggle is ahead of us, and we are fighting again for the principles of democracy, for which we fought successfully before. I feel that, no matter what sacrifice is requited of the people, their response will be cheerfully given." lie coiitinnod Unit ;lie GuviTmiicnfs job to-day was lo direct the Whole activity and energy of (lie nation towards a common end—namely, victory. FARM PRODUCTION. .Mr Sell ram 111 lilted the Government to brine i'n eft fly regulations to increase the volume of farm production. He said this .should be one of the first steps taken under the Emergency Regulations Hill. All farm workers, he contended, should he brought under the Defence Aft. and if it came to a question of increasing wages to maintain production the Government should not hesitate to pay these wage's by allocation from the defence funds. Everyone admitted that the regulations would bo drastic, hut they were none the less necessary, and he hoped these would deal swiftly with poisons who n efe disseminating subversive propaganda throughout the Dominion. Air Bodkin said some indication should ho given to the House ns to what was meant by " promoting the development of standardisation, simplification, and certification of commodities, processes, and practices.” Regulations were coming down for this purpose, and it was timely that the manufacturers should be told what they might expect and what would bo required of them. Mr Fraser gave an assurance that manufacturers and employers, as well as organisations of workers, would be consulted before action was taken under tho Bill, and lie added, in reply to another question, that tho regulations would , give the Govcrnfnent power to suspend or vary industrial awards, but that also would only be done after consultation with tho parties concerned. FACTORY CONTROL. The Minister of Industries and Commerce, Mr Sullivan, explained that the activities of factories would come under a controller. It might be necessary to eliminate from production certain lines and types that were superfluous in a state of war. Tho intention was that, as far as was reasonable and practicable, tho Ministry of Supply would consult the industries concerned, which would be fully informed of what was going on Already there had been ample evidence that every■ co-operation would bo given by manufacturers, producers, and workers to facilitate the efforts of the nation to the greatest possible extfent. NECESSARY SACRIFICE OF FREEDOM. Everyone, said Mr Coates, dreaded the idea of a Government taking omnibus powers to do exactly as it liked, but the people_ of the country must realise that their very existence might depend on the unification of efforts to protect the freedom of the country and the British Commonwealth of Nations. The necessity and the urge were there, and we must all strive our hardest, and give of our best. Equality of sacrifice, h© said, was always difficult to define, but we had to make a start. The common sense of the people would quickly indicate whether the methods and proposals that were being adopted met in with their point of view. While all of us regretted the necessity, none regretted the efforts made to show that New Zealand was determined to play her part. Mr Hargest suggested that the Bill should contain some terminating date or time for the regulations. He accepted the regulations themselves in the spirit in which they should be taken,—namely, that war imposed sacrifices. GOVERNMENT WILL BE MODERATE. Replying to the debate, Mr Fraser thanked members for their broadminded approach to the subject, and said the trust imposed on the Government must be executed conscientiously and moderately, and with a due sense of human values. The Bill passed its second reading, and went through the committee stages with only brief discussion on minor points. It was given its third reading and passed at 5.5 p.m.