PUBLIC SAFETY.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 October 1920, Page 5

PUBLIC SAFETY.

!; IsAW DURING STRIKES. t •> . TO PROTECT THE COMMUNITY^ By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Oct. 20, !>.o p.m. Lon.lon, Oct. 25. In moving the second reading of the Emergency Powers Bill in the House of Commons, Mr. Bonar Law denied it was attacking trade unionism <jr that it wan provocative.

He said it had been drafted many months ago to meet an occasion like the present, when the safety of the community was threatened. It was not introduced for the benefit of this particular Government, but to maintain the constitutional system on which the government of the country was based. There was no fear of its being used in ordinary disputes. No Government could be left without such powers during the recess, and the Government considered the Bill must form part of the general law.

Mr. W. Adamaon (deputy Liberal Leader) moved the rejection of the Bill, as panicky and needless. Mr. Asquith said the Government had ample powers already. The occasion was inopportune, and "the measure should be postponed. Mr. ,1. 8.. Clynes (Labor member) said the introduction of the measure in the present crisis would cause mischief.

The Premier said the Bill was necessary and urgent. Could the Government be refused means of preparing to defend the nation while sections were preparing to paralyse it? It was not provocation for the House of Commons to prevent the triple alliance from starving forty-six millions of people The motion for the rejection of tha Bill was negatived by 257 votes to 05. Mr. Bonar Law pointed out that the regulations under the Act must be presented to Parliament without de;ay, and they would expire a fortnight thereafter unless their continuance was voted.— Aus.-N.Z, Cable Assn.