MARKET GARDENS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 March 1943, Page 3

MARKET GARDENS

REGISTRATION BILL BEFORE HOUSE. . SUPPORTED BY OPPOSITION. ' (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Ths Day. Opposition approval of the Commercial Gardens Registration Bill was expressed during the second reading debate in the Hcluse last night. The Minister of Agriculture, Mr Barclay, said the measure was desired not only by the gardeners themselves but also by the department. It was intended to do a good deal of planning in the production of vegetables to feed the" people of this country and the troops in the Pacific area, and it was necessary to know what acreage was in commercial gardens. Mr Lee (Democratic Labour, Grey Lynn): “Why not registration without the big fee?” The Minister said it was necessary for the commercial gardeners’ organisation to have a fee. If the number of gardeners and the acreage under cultivation were known there would be ■ no need for the Bill. The Leader of the Opposition, Mr Holland, said that when the Bill was first introduced he regarded it with a good deal of suspicion, but after giving it close scrutiny he found that his early fears were unfounded. If the Opposition thought the Bill meant more interference with the industry, more State control, ’or the strengthening of the grip of the Marketing Department, then it would oppose the measure wholeheartedly. The Bill gave no more power over the vegetable growers and the distribution of their produce than there was before it was • introduced. In those circumstances the measure seemed reasonable. Mr Lee said the Bill allowed of compulsory unionism. Opposition members: “Oh, no.” “I am doubtful about compulsory .unionism,” continued Mr Lee. “Com-

pulsory unionism did more to destroy the health and vigour of unionism than anything else that the Government did.” t x Mr Kyle (Independent, Riccarton) said he feared that the measure was not going to be any more beneficial than the Poultry Registration Act. It meant more regimentation and certainly was compulsory unionism. Several members on both sides of the House supported the measure, which was read a second time.