'MILESTONE ON ROAD TO COMMUNISM'

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 64, 8 December 1937, Page 3

'MILESTONE ON ROAD TO COMMUNISM'

-Pres» Association.)

Upper House Criticism of Marketing Bill TALK OF DICTATORSHIP

(By Telegraph-

- , WELLINGTON,. Last Night. ' When the Legisiative Council met this afternoon, the Primary Products Marketing Amendment Bill met with considerable opposition. Moving the second reading, the Leader of the Council (Hon.' M. Pagan) said that the Bill would complete ' the task undertaken when the guaranteed price was established and would enablo the local market far primary products to be controlled. It was not the intention of the Government to become a buyer and seller on a large scale, but the powers taken would be valuable in the event of any national emergency. All that was proposed at present was the distribution of products with' the teast possible cost or disturbance. Hon. J.. Alexander said the Bill was ine more milestone on the road to Cominunism and one more gravestone to the liberty of the subject. It reminded hira »f a person who approached another quietly but with the intention of beatng the other nnconscious. Hon. B. C. Bobbins made a vigorous defence of the measure and said that if it were leading towards Socialism, it (yas a.good thing. He hoped to see the time when.what the people produced fvould belong to the people. • Hon. C. J., Carrington said the Bill ivas a sugar-coating for Communism, but it seemed futile to protest. He arged all who valued personal liberty to fote against tbe n^agure. Hon. J. Cotter snpported the Bill and said that, while there was a lot of talk about Communism, the Minister of Marketing was applying Christian principles to the law.of the land. Hon. H. A. -Russell said he did not question, the Christian principles ' of the Minister, but no man could be Minister for always. He considered that private enterprise could show Christian principles as well as the Government. IlQn. E. R. Davis said the Bill would lead to higher prices and marketing dictatorship. Hon. W, W. Snodgrass said he opposed the Bill, becauoo it interfered with the rights of the individual. Hon. W. Perry.also opposed it be-' cause it interfered with private enterprise which, he said, created the incentive to work, to plan and to think, and brought out the best in the individual and the nation. Hon. Sir.Heaton Khodes said the Bill was one more nail in the coffin of priyate enterprise. 1 .The Council adjourned at-5 p.m. till 8 D.m.