PARLIAMENT

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19879, 7 May 1936, Page 7

PARLIAMENT

DAIRY LEGISLATION. STERN POLITICAL CONTEST. APPLICATION OF CLOSURE. ___.. \VELLINGTON, \\'eduesclay. The declared intention of Opposition members that they would contest the' passage of the Primary :‘roducts Marketing Bill “every inch of the \Vay," was giVEn efl'eet to in the House oi" Representatives to-day and 'SO also was the intention of the Gov—ernment to put the measure through with the least possible delay. After two speakers had discussed the amendment this afternoon, the Prime Minister made use of the closure. Three divisions were taken in rapid succession and then the llouse went into committee on the Bill, with the Opposition apparently ready to contest every clause. .\lr Hamilton‘s amendment, introduced early this morning. was that the Bill should be referred back to the Government for further consideration on the following grounds:— “That the Bill proposes to restrict the freedom of private ownership and to destroy indiyidual rights long en— Joyed by the primary producer of this country. inasmuch as he has always retained freedom of production and ownership. whereas the measure before the House introduces new principles and untried methods in that the State assumes ownership and distribution of all his primary produce, and in particular dairy produce, and all allied produce, such as boneless veal. pigs and manufactured by-products of hulk, amounting in effect to confiscaion.

“That the Bill purports to eliminate fluctuations in the market prices of exported primary products. but fails to do so as it provides that the prices shall from time to time be fixed by the ' Governor-General by Order-in-Council. Methods lmprnotioablo. “That the price received for butter up to the end of March last averaged 12.2t1d pcr Ib.. and that in view of climatic conditions and other factors atfecting New aniand‘s competitors in world markets and the prices received over the past year. there are clear indications of improved prices for the current year. ”That the methods and basis of es—timating the price to be fixed for the primai‘y products to be taken over are impracticable. ,“Tl‘tnt the proposed change in the channels of distribution that have been built up over many years of experience and practice must injuriousiy affect the goodwill established overseas and thereby react to the disad—vantage of the dairy farmer. "That the freedom enjoyed in the past by farmers in manufacturing home-made butter and cheese and in supplying surplus to stores is cur—tailed by the provisions of the Bill. “That in view of the far-reaching effect of the measure under discussion the primary producer should ‘be given an opportunity of deciding by a plebiscite his approval or othcrwise of the principles contained therein. “That assistance can be given to the primary producer by methods other than by the State assuming complete ownership of all produce.“ Urgency Granted. “'hen the House resumed in the afternoon the Prime Minister asked for urgency for the passing of the Bill and the motion was not contested. Continuing the debate on the amendment. Mr \V. J. Poison (Opposition—Strutford) described the Bill as a “crude, unstuclied plan created by men who put a spell over the country by the glamour of their word spinning." It was doomed to failure and the farmer would have nothing of it. After Mr R. A. “'right (independent —\\'eilinston Suburbs) had contri—buted to the debate the Prime Minister moved the application of the closure which was carried by 50 votes to 20.

Within a few minutes the division bells were again ringing;, the Opposition having chosen to divide the House on Mr Hamilton’s amendment, which was rejected by 52 votes to 20. The Speaker then put the question that the Bill should be read a secsnd time, and once again a division was called for, the third within a quarter of an hour. The voting in the division on the Hill was as follows: For the 'Bill (52). Anderton, Armstrong, Atmore, Barnes, Barrell, C. H. Burnett, Campbell, Carr, Chapman, Christie, Cotterill, Coulter, Cullen, Fraser. Herring, Hodgens, Howard, Hultquist, Hunter, .Tones, Jordan, Langstone, Lee, Lowry, Lyon, McCombs, McDougall, McMillan, Martin. Mason. Meaehen, Moncur, Munro, Nash, Nordmeyer, Parry, Petrie. Ratana, Richards, Roberts, Robertson. Rushworth. Savage, Schramm, Semple, Sexton, Sullivan, Thorn, Tlrikatene, Webb, Williams, Wilson. Against the Bill (20). Bodkin, Broadfoot, T. D. Burnett, Coates. Cobbe, Dickie, Endean', Forbes,' Hamilton, Hargest, Holland, llolyoake, Kyle, Ngata, Poison. Ransom,' Roy, Smith, Wilkinson, Wright. DANGERS AHEAD. MR COATES’ PREDICTION’S. W ELLINOTON, Wednesday. “We are told that until the world price rises to a point, at which the overdraft in the proposed Dairy Industry Account can be adjusted the farmer will get nothing more than the fixed price,” stated the Right lion. J. G. Coates during the discussion on the short title of the Primary Products Marketing Rill la the House of Representatives this evening. 11 When the overseas price is above ihe guarantee tliere will be a repayment into the account, and any balance left over can bo distributed among the farmers. I repeat that the dairy farmer of Now Zealand would be much better off if he accepted the world price- The farmer has been sold J lie prettiest little pup he Mas ever been sold in his life.” The Minister of Finance the Hon. W. Nash : ou wait until it grows up. There was the possibility that the guaranteed price might remain for some time in excess of the world price.

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