WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 17 May 1926, Page 4

WELLINGTON TOPICS

THE DAIRY CONTROVERSY, SUPREME COURT INVOKED. (Special to “ Guardian.”) WELLINGTON, May 14. The long-expected legal proceedings to stay the hand of the Dairy Board in introducing absolute control have at last made their public appearance. An originating .summons lias been filed bv the Dairy Proprietary Association and the Waitaki Dairy Company asking for an interpretation by the Full Court of Appeal of the meaning of the Dairy Produce Control Act. The Dairy Control Board is cited as the defendant, and the case probably will conic up for hearing early in July. The wording of the Act is admittedly ambiguous and there is much uncertainty as to the meaning of many of its clauses. The purpose of the proceedings is to determine what was the intention of the Legislature and how far this intention was expressed in the Act. Having done this, the Court, it is being assumed. will be asked to decide whether or not the provisions intended to institute absolute control are “ ultra vires” ami therefore ineffective. It should he explained that the Dairy Proprietary Association of Wellington and the AA’aiI taki Dairy Company ’have been named as plaintiffs for the purpose ol simplifying the proceeding. Practically all the proprietary concerns and a very large proportion of the co-operative companies have associated themselves with the movement hut their appearance would onlv add to the cost and complexities of the case. THE BUS REGULATIONS. The worthy Mayor of Wellington. Mr C. J. Norwood, ventured yesterday upon the defence of the motor-bus regulations by which lie and a majority of his councillors hope to save the city tramways from the competition of private enterprise. The onlv plea he put forward on their heliall was that the ratepayers' money having been invested in tramways the monopoly of the tramways should ho upheld at any cost in money or municipal morals. The “ Dominion ” will not believe that the public is going to subscribe to this vicious doctrine. " The ease against the motor-bus regulations as they stand.” it says, "is that they represent an attempt to kill bus competition with the tramways by unjust methods which no Government or local authority should he prepared to- father or defend. The facts on which this charge rests are not open to question. In Wellington, for instance the authority appointed under the regulations to license motor-bus services will be the City Council, a body interested in setting the narrowest possible limits to such services. As the regulations run. a motor-bus service is to be licensed over a given route only if the existing transport facilities are not sufficient to meet the needs of the public. . • A\ by if the existing triimwnj or bus facilities are Insufficient, should the public be penalised when they are forced to travel in a private bus service which merely remedies the deficiency? All that any licensing authority has to do to obviate the payment of compensation is to issue a license. The unlortunate proprietor is then quietly eliminated by reason of the fact that he cannot hope to carry on his service at the excessive charge he is forced to im-pose-on his passengers. It is inconsist, cut with the seH’-rcsnccl of public and national authorities that they should set their hands to methods which open the door to abuses of this nature.” 11l this matter the “ Dominion ” represents the opinion of the great majority of the citizens. STILL IN THE AIK. The Prime -Minister lias only himself to blame if the humourists arc making merry over his reiterated promises of information concerning the completion of Cabinet construction, the opening of Parliament, the appointment of new Legislative Councillors, the date of his department for the Imperial Conference. the selection of a site for the agricultural college and a number of other matters that have been in the air for months past. Kven the "Post.” Ihe most diffident of all the critics, is becoming a little impatient of the delay. " Hitherto,” it says, "the public though closely interested in these subjects, have been kept much in the dark. It has been taken for granted that Mr Coates will attend the Imperial Conference, hut no indication has been .given of how this will affectthe business of Parliament, or the length of the session. Recently there was a suggestion that Parliament would dose down upon the Prime Minister’s departure, lmt this report is surely not correct. With a substantial majority and two members of Cabinet, other than the Prime Minister, capable ol leading the House there is certainly no reason either for rushing business or for postponing it. If Parliament sets to work earnestly, however, most of the important business should be transacted before it is necessary for .Mr Coates to leave.” In political circles bore it is expected that Air Coates will I make an effort to "close down" Par-1 Lament before leaving for the Imperial Conference. MORE LORDS. The indication given by the Prime -Minister yesterday to the effect that two new members, in addition to Sir Francis Bell, would be appointed to the Legislative Council shortly, came as a surprise-even to his intimate friends. It is true there is room, in the Council Chamber for two more elderly gentlemen of leisurely habit and good repute, but fhe need lor their presence well may be questioned, ft still has to he discovered how the Council will comport itself deprived of the very capable leadership of Sir Francis 801 l ; hut for ] years past its most serious duty has been to nod approval of the Govern- j meut measures passed through the | other place, and really it needs no in- | timate acquaintance with politics nor ( any great insight into public affairs to conform with dignity to a formality of this kind. Further appointments to t the Council very safely might ho post- j poned till it is seen how the new House s of Representatives is disposed towards j that branch of the Legislature.