UNITY OF HOUSE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20042, 14 September 1939, Page 14

UNITY OF HOUSE

BILL APPROVED WISE EXERCISE URGED GOVERNMENT ASSURANCE RETENTION OF GOODWILL EFFORT FOR VICTORY' (Pur Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. In moving the second reading of the Emergency Regulations Bill in the House of Representatives 1 yesterday afternoon, the acting-Prime Minister.

•lie Hon. r~. Eraser, said he would like the bill to go through as expeditiously as members considered possible. A large part of the present bill, he said, was based on the English measure, and even the wording of the British and New Zealand measures were identical in many place. Some alterations, however, were of course necessary to meet local conditions.

The Minister then briefly outlined the various clauses of the bill and said that its main provisions covered almost every conceivable emergency. He reiterated his statement when introducing the measure, that this was a time of emergency and emergency precautions were necessary, and 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 on how wisely whether the measure would be used beneficially or harmfully.

Drastic Conditions The Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. Adam Hamilton, said there was no doubt that the bill contained very drastic conditions, but the Minister had told them they were necessary so that this country could give of her best, both internally and overseas. It must serve to show to the people of New Zealand that the country was at war. because he did not believe such legislation would bo introduced by this or any other Government unless there were 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 Government would 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 machinery for the defence of our cherished principles. We were fighting for the heritage we had enjoyed, he said, and which we wished to retain. Executive Control The present bill would almost amount to the adjourning of Parliament and allowing an Executive Council to govern tire 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 lo 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 lo 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 greatest eflcct.

“It. will depend on how the Government uses the extreme power placed in its hands. It is its duty to see that it—is used wisely and judiciously. It will be a test of the Government's good faith to the people to administer these powers to tire ‘satisfaction of Hie people. They must be used with caution and judgment, and I am sure that the Government will do that. I trust and I am sure it will." Duration of War Only Mr. Hamilton expressed the hope tfat the powers given under the bill would be used for the duration of the war only and that they would then be repealed. The Opposition, he said in conclusion, had offered the Government its co-operation in any matters necessary, and it would acquiesce with the Government s desire for tire bill at the present time or would not unnecessarily obstruct the measure.

The Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes (Nat., I-lurunui) said that to-day there were no politics in this country. Their differences of opinion had disappeared. The people were united and they could be depended upon to stand up

to adversity to the very end. The Government would have no problem to meet m that respect. The Opposition realised the necessity of .'living 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. Activity For Common End Mr. Forbes said that the Government's job to-day was to direct, the whole activity and energy of the nation towards a common end, namely, victory.

Mr. F. W. Schramm (Lab., Auckland East) urged the Government to bring in early regulations to increase the volume of farm production. lie said this should be one of the first steps taken under the Emergency Regulations Bill.

All farm workers, lie contended, should be brought under the Defence Act and. if it came to a question of increasing wages to maintain production, the Government should not hesitate to pay these wages by allocation from the defence funds,

The Minister of Industries and Commerce, the Hon. D. G. 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. The intention was that, as far as was reasonable and practicable, the 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 be given by the manufacturers, producers and workers to facilitate the efforts of the nation to the greatest possible extent. Unification of Efforts Everyone, said the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates (Nat., Kaipara) dreaded the idea of the Government taking omnibus powers to do exactly as it liked, but the people of the country must

realise that t:ic;r very existence might depend on the unification of the ell oris to protect the freedom of the country and the British Commonwealth of Nations. The necessity and urge were there, and we must all strive our hardest and give of our best.

Mr. J. Hargest (Nat., Awarua) 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 the war imposed sacrifices. In recent times, he added. New Zealand had been accepting more aliens who were still not British subjects. While they might be the most lawabiding people in the world, he wondered if the authorities were satisfied (hat the activities of all those people could be adequately watched.

Mr. J. A. Lee (Lab., Grey Lynn) agreed that all aliens should be carefully watched, but, he added, they must avoid making anybody suffer wlio had already suffered under the Hiller regime.

Replying to the debate. Mr. Fraser thanked members for their broadminded approach to the subject and said that the trust imposed on the Government must be executed conscientiously and moderately and with a due sense of human values.

Dealing with the subject of aliens, he said it would be a tragedy and a disaster if because of tire misfortunes in their own homes they were persecuted in their new homes. He was sure that was the point of view of everyone. However, he gave an assurance that nothing would be left undone to sec that no evilly-disposed person did harm to the country. The bill passed its second reading and went through the committee stages with only a brief discussion on minor points. It was given its third reading and passed.