“ High-Handed Act ”

Hokitika Guardian, 24 May 1921, Page 4

“ High-Handed Act ”

I)I’NED IN BUSINESS MEN COM PLAIN. The matter of the embargo on the importation of gas cookers came again More the council of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce. One member remarked that, as has been stated in Auckland, such a highhanded act on tho part of the Minster, through Order-in-Council, might lend in some circumstances to a revolution; it was possible to prohibit the importation of boots on the same principle. Another member said thnt the reason of the embargo was not merely that imported cookers would compete with the Dominion manufacture, but that a certain source was prepared to “dump” into New Zealand or wherever else was possible, a large quantity of these articles. Mr Gibson took the ground that the chamber should consider very seriously the whole question of Government by Order-in-Council. He indicated certain directions in which a Government official might impose regulations and penalties, contrary even to the desire of Parliament, and considered that the method was one that should he used with very great reserve. It was pointed out that there were occasions of urgency where quick action was necessary, and the general agreement was reached that in making use of an Order-iil-Couneil the Government should make the fullest possible explanation to justify its action with the public. Tho whole question was left to the executive committee for investigation.