MARKETING BILL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 October 1939, Page 4

MARKETING BILL

EXTENDED DISCUSSION IN HOUSE OPPOSITION SEEKS TO LIMIT TERM. PROPOSAL REJECTED ON DIVISION. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Discussion on Iho second reading' of the Marketing Amendment Bill was continued in the House of Representatives after 2 a.m. this morning by members of the Opposition, who urged the Government to give a definite undertaking that- the provisions of the Bill would be operative only for the duration of the war, or only for such time thereafter as was absolute! v necessary."

The second reading was eventually passed at about 4 a.m., and in the Committee stages the Leader of the Opposition, Mr A. Hamilton, said they would not oppose the passing of the Bill in Committee, but would register their protest by moving an amendment at the end of that stage of the proceedings. When the last clause had been passed, Mr Hamilton moved an amendment to the effect that the provisions of the Bill should remain operative only for the duration of the war or twelve months thereafter, but no longer. This motion was defeated by 37 votes to 21 and the Bill finally passed all its stages at 4.50, the House rising until 2.30 p.m. today. On the motion for the adjournment, the Acting-Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, said the Reserve Bank Bill was the only measure which now remained to be dealt with and he hoped that this would be finished today. When the business was concluded, the House would adjourn, probably until February oi’ March, instead of being prorogued as usual.

Earlier discussion on the Marketing Bill is reported on page 2.