COMPENSATION RIGHT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20043, 15 September 1939, Page 4

COMPENSATION RIGHT

LAND CONFISCATION WAR REQUIREMENTS UPPER HOUSE DEBATE (Tor Press Association.) WELLINGTON, 'this day. When the Legislative Council met yesterday the Transport Law Amendment Bill and the Emergency Regulations Bill were received from the House of Representatives.

The Hon. J. Alexander criticised the lack of provision for the payment of compensation when property was acquired under the Emergency Regulations Bill. He felt confident that those who framed the bill had no intention of saying that the Crown could take the house or the farm of any person and not pay fair and reasonable compensation. The wartime measures for the previous war prescribed the payment of compensation.

The Hon. J. A. Hanan asked why a just provision relative to the payment of compensation was not included xn the present bill.

The Hon. W. Perry claimed that no court would award compensation in view of the fact that the payment of compensation was not specifically mentioned in the bill.

The Hon. J. K. Archer said there were other rights besides property rights. Nobody had suggested that men should not be commandeered.

Replyipg to the debate, the Leader of the Council, the Hon. D. Wilson, said that the policy of the Government was totally opposed to confiscation without compensation.

The Hon. Sir Heaton Rhodes moved a new clause to limit the duration of the regulations till three months after the war ends, but this was defeated on the voices. Botli bills were passed and the council rose at 5.22 p.in.