GRAVE CHARGE IN RUMOUR

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 363, 26 October 1932, Page 5

GRAVE CHARGE IN RUMOUR

(Press. Assn.'

MINISTER'S ACTION ' * — ' "■ - " SUPPRESSION OF COMPETITION BY ORDER-IN-COUNCIL TENSE MOMENT IN HOUSE

— By Telegraph— Copyrlght).

Wellington, Tuesday. There was a tense moment in the House of Repriesehtatives to-night when in the fcourse o'f 'a vigorous protest against the use of Order-in-Council for legislative "purposes, the Government member for Eden, Mr. ■ A. J. Stallworthy, referred to the association of the Minister of Industries and Commerce, the Hon. R. Masters, with the picture theatre business. Mr. Stallworthy declared that the Minister had used the most extraordinary powers in the most outrageous way. Although the Government had taken no notice of repeated representations to safegtiard retailers from ruination through price cutting, Mr. Masters had nsurped powers of Parliament to protect theatre proprietors against a strong combination. "In this connection," added Mr. Stallworthy, "it was reported the Minister's action Was taken to safeguard his own private interests." Mr. S. G. Smith (Government, New Plymouth) : That is not so. Mr. Stallworthy (warmly) : I am not saying that it is, biit it was wide.ly reported throughout New Zealand. Mr. Smith : That is very untruthful. • Calling Mr. Stallworthy to order, Mr. Speaker said that it was as bad for a member to say certain things had been reported as to allege that they had been done. He did not know what Mr. Stallworthy's ohpective was, but it might he to infer that the report was probably true. Must Be Careful "We have to be eareful in referring to members of the. Upper House," said Mr. Speaker, "but at the same time, if a member of the Upper House is also a Minister of the Crown, it Would he unreasonahie of me to prevent him from eoming under eriticism. Statements should not be made that can threaten to he interpreted as reflecting on the character of a member of the Upper House." Mr. Stallworthy said that he had no wish to be unfair to the Minister. His point concerned a very grave constitutional position. He said that he had referred to the report because on hearing it, he had personally interviewed the Minister and drawn his attention to the rumours. "I asked the Minister if they were true," said Mr. Stallworthy. "He said that it was true that he Was interested in the picture business, and that when a big combine came along anji threatened that unless they were given a voice in the directorate and a share in the earnings — when it came to threatening like that he felt he was justified in taking these extraordinary powers." Labour members: Oh! Oh! Mr. Stallworthy said that he would be the last to cast derogatory aspersions on anyone, but when there were men in his electorate who were harrassed by big combinations and representations foi" relief had been made in vain, he felt that he was justified in speaking. No protection had been given these small men, while in the outstanding case he had mentioned, the Minister's extraordinary powers were in vogue in one particular form of competition that was in a better position to withstand a ehallenge than other sections of commereial and industrial activity. Mr. Stallworthy concluded by vigorously protesting against the use. of Order-in-Council for legislative purposes instead of giving effect to the voice of Parliament.