Bill Introduced to Abolish System of “Rule by Regulation”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26625, 22 November 1947, Page 6

Bill Introduced to Abolish System of “Rule by Regulation”

Parliamentary Reporter WELLINGTON, Nov. 21. The power to make emergency regulations is abolished by the Emergency Regulations Continuance Bill, which was introduced in the House of Representatives to-day. It also provides for the continuance in force of certain of the existing regula- • tions made under the Emergency Regulations Act, 1939, and for the repeal of some of the provisions of the Act. The War Regulations Act, 1914, is also repealed by the Bill. The Supply Regulations Bill, which authorises the making of regulations for purposes connected with the maintenance, control and regulation of supplies and services, was also introduced. The Emergency Regulations Continuance Bill was read a second time pro forma, and referred to the Statutes Revision Committee. The Supply Regulations Bill was read a first time. An explanation of the Emergency Regulations Continuance Bill was given by the Minister of Justice, Mr Mason, who said the central feature of the measure was that it brought the power to make new emergency regulations to an end. There was, of necessity, the power of amending such of them as were to be retained.

The Prime Minister, Mr Fraser: Eighty-seven will be revoked by an Order-in-Council to-day. The Leader of the Opposition, Mr Holland: How many will be left? MiMason said the number left would be considerable for a great many reasons. It was inevitable that many must stay on. The Government, however, had tried to revoke all it could. The Minister of Lands, Mr Skinner: Even going back to 1915. Mr Mason said the Bill revoked the War Regulations Acts of 1914, 1915, 1916, and 1920. It was not possible immediately to repeal the Emergency Regulations or even do so on the day peace was declared. If for 30 years remnants of the regulations from the first war had hung about he did not feel there was any need to be apologetic for retaining some after this war. Mr R. M. Algie (Oppn., Remuera): Peace is the hang-over of war. Mr Mason said the regulations had been classified. There were those that would expire at the end of 1948 and others that would remain until they were expressly revoked. The regulations which would expire at the end of next year were those where legislation would be required. Some regulations would not require legislation. There was too much uncertainty as to how long the others would be required to fix a specific date for their reoeal. The Bill abolished the power to make new regulations, repealed as many as possible, fixed a date for the termination of as many more as possible, and left the rest until expressly revoked. Mr Fraser said there were certain regulations that could not be got rid of because of technical difficulties. There were regulations dealing with industrial questions that it was advisable to retain. The National Service Regulations also had to be retained until Parliament and the Government had agreed on the future defence policy for the country. The Minister of Supply, Mr Nordmeyer, said the Supply Regulations Bill continued Certain supply regulations which were enacted during the war period gave the Governor-General power to maite new regulations dealing with supply matters. The Bill would expire on December 31, 1950. The Government considered that the powers taken were necessary in the post-war period to deal with supplies and shortages. Regulations to expire on December 31, 1948, in accordance with the Emergency Regulations Continuance Bill, include the Labour Legislation Emergency Regulations, the Public Service Superannuation Emergency Regulations, and _the Transport Licences Emergency Regulations, The regulations to continue m force until revoked total 168, and include the Defence Emergency Regulations, the Egg Marketing Emergency Regulations, the Enemy Property Emergency Regulations, the Cargo Control Emergency Regulations, the Finance Emergency Regulations, the Licensing Art Emergency Regulations, the Occupational Re-establishment Emergency Regulations and the Teachers (Conscientious Objectors and De faulters) Regulations. The emergency regulations to continue m force undei the Supply Regulations Bill include those relating to building, electricity, rationing, and wheat and flour.