RIGID CONTROL

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20055, 29 September 1939, Page 9

RIGID CONTROL

EXPORTS AND IMPORTS CUSTOMS AMENDMENT '' " ' • I'" PETROL PRICE REBATE; C CERTAIN USERS OF FUEL (Per Press Association 1 WELLINGTON, this day. In moving the second reading.of the Customs Act Amendment Bill; in the House of Representatives yesterday, the Minister of Finance, the Hon. W. Nash, explained that under .the bill all import and export regulations were made absolute. There no longer existed any limit to the prohibition- of imports, and the same power had been extended to exports. The regulations controlling imports, which had been produced on December 7 last year, were validated under the bill, and another minor clause had been inserted into the measure to validate the imuortation by an Auckland merchant of a number of kerosene pump; which lie had brought into the courrtrv without a license. .'A-

Dealing with petrol prices, the Minister said that a rebate of 6d a gallowould be made on motor spirit fov all purposes other than as fuel fo~ road motor vehicles. Spiri* used for •agricultural tractors and other indus trial purposes, including transport, would receive a further rebate of 4d and that used for fuel for aircraft c fishing vessels, an additional refund of 2d. '“ Mr. T. L. Macdonald (Nat Mataura) contended *hit, in view'.; the outbreak of war. 1+ would have been better to have adjourned the House immediately and thus, avoid the present uncertainty regardin')?’’ lertr} taxation. He annealed 'to; the Minister to give an extra id a gallon rebatr on the price of petrol for faro: tractors, bringing them tntoJine with fishing vessels. Wet Canteens He also urged the. establishment of ■'wet” canteens in military camps,; as he contended that such canteens would he under stricter control than would other wise be possible. Mr. F. W. Doidge (Nat., Tatiranga) asked if Mr. Nash would give some report on his recent mission to London. Tile House knew that the Minister, under the circumstances, had done remarkably well, but they also wanted to know whether the changed circumstances were going to interfere with his pledges made to the United Kingdom and the, British manufacturers.

Mr. C. A. Wilkinson (Ind/, Egmont) contended that New Zealand was entering the war under a great disadvantage in regard to its internal nosition because of the import regulations. He emphasised that he wais not speaking antagonistically to the Government, hut he did think tha + the regulations could have been made much easier and the safeguards more effective than they were at present. He then proceeded to criticise ;in detail the operation of the regulations ' - = . > Funds Front Petrol Tax .... . W. J. Poison (Nat:;;. Stratford) asked what was going to be done with the extra petrol taxation. Would it be paid into the war expenses account? .. V.'.jA-. - ‘ The Minister: As far as it has been collected, it has all gone into that account. - ■ Mr. Poison also asked that further relief should be given to farmers hy the remission of the petrol fax. The Customs Act Amendment Rill passed through the committee stages with comparatively little discussion, the measure being given the third reading and passed. ; Discussing the committal of the Statutes Amendment Bill, a clause providing penalties for drinking* in dance halls came in for some criticism. . , The Minister in Charge of Police, the Hori. P. Fraser, said he was glad an attempt had been made to deal with what was admittedly a serious evil. It was hot merely a question* of drinking in dance halls, but of drink being given to girls at dances. Mr. J. A. Lee (Lab., Grey Lynn) said they had to be : careful not. to pass laws which would lead to thousands of innocent persons being treated as criminals. The way. >to check an evil was not by regimentation. It was not the duty of Parliament to prohibit people in that way. He thought the clause was.going too far. . . : • t