LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

Evening Star, Issue 23372, 15 September 1939, Page 13

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

EMERGENCY AND TRANSPORT BELLS PASSED [Per United Press Association - .] WELLINGTON, September 14. When the Legislative Council met this afternoon the .Transport Law Amendment Bill and the Emergency Regulations Bill were received from the House of Representatives and the Standing Orders were suspended to enable Government Bills, to be put through all stages at one sitting. Hon. J. Alexander criticised the lack of provision for the payment of compensation when property was acquired under the Emergency Regulations Bill. He expressed sympathy with those carrying the burden of office to-day, and said he hoped his remarks would not be taken as carping criticism. ’ He felt confident that those who had framed the Bill had no intention of saying that the Crown could take the houso or farm of any person and not pay fair and reasonable compensation. He pointed out that _ the wartime measures for the previous war prescribed the payment of compensation where supplies were taken by the Minister of Defence, and also gave compensation to aliens whose laud was taken by proclamation, • Hon. J. A. Hanan, speaking as a member of tho last War Cabinet, said he recognised the need for wide Government powers. He asked why just provision to the payment of compensation, which had been included in the previous war measures, was not included in the present Bill. He quoted legal authorities supporting his view that compensation could not bo claimed. Hon. W. Perry claimed that no court would award compensation in view of tho fact that the payment of compensation was not specifically mentioned in the Bill. He agreed with Mr Hanan that there was no implication that compensation would be paid. Hon. J. K. Archer said there were other rights than property rights. He asked how could loss of life be compensated for and how could compensation he spread? They had to believe that there was such an institution as justice in the British people, and _he was prepared to accept that principle without having it in writing. Hon. T. Bloodworth supported the payment of compensation. Hon. P. E. Lark said tho only compensation that democratic people were asking was that democracy should survive. , ~ . Hon. C. J. Carrington moved that the Bill be referred to the Statutes Revision Committee, but did not press the motion. Replying to tho debate, the Leader of the "Council (Hon. D. Wilson! said that the policy of the Government was totally opposed to confiscation without compensation. The Government never had confiscated and never would confiscate without compensation where such was necessary. He pointed out that compensation was provided for in the recent regulations, Hon. G. R. Hunter asked what was the position about a Lyttelton launch valued at £6.000 which had already been taken while the owner was away. Mr Wilson renlied that if an iniustice had been done it would be rectified. Sir R. Heaton Rhodes moved a new clause to limit the duration of the regulations till three months after the war ends, hut this was defeated on the V °Botii Bills were passed, and the Council rose at 5.22 p.m.