MARKETING BILL

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19885, 14 May 1936, Page 7

MARKETING BILL

UPPER HOUSE DEBATE. I SECOND READING CARRIED. ———— REIIABILITATI'ON OF INDUSTRY. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON. \Vedncsday. The objects of the Primary Pt‘mllil‘t‘ Marketing Bill were outlined by the Leader of the Council, the lion. )1. Pagan. when it came before the Legis—lative Council for its second reading yesterday. i Mr Fagan maintained that, the Gov—‘ crnment had definite authority from‘ the electors to promote such a meas»‘ are. Mr Fagan said he knew of scores of instances where farmers had to leave their properties and go on Dub-i he works in order to earn a little extrai while their wives and children did the milking. It was only because of the “sweating" conditions that had ob—tained during the last. three or four years that the industry had survived as long as it had done. It was high time something was done to rehabili—tate dairy farming as an industry. No Mandate. The flion. n. Masters (’l‘aranaki) agreed that the question of guaranteed prices was put before the pub—lic at the election, but not that details of the Government‘s intentions had been clearly explained. The farmers had never given the Labour Party it mandate to proceed with legislation of such a kind. All that had been placed before the electors was a medley or confused ideas. The tion. is. Martin (Auckland) said it was contended that the rights of the farmers were being taken away. lie would answer the point by asking if it. mattered who purchased their produce as long as they received adequate remuneration for their efforts. The real question was whether the Bill was in the interests of the,farmcrs and the people in general. ’ The Hon. J. Cotter (iiinuera) de—scribed tho Biil as one of the most serious measures to appear in Parlia—ment. ille supported it, as it. promised to relieve the dairy farmer of many of his financial problems. The Hon. E. li. Davis (Auckland) said he could not align his conscience with the principles of the Bill. It marked the beginning of the socialise.— tlon of production, with which he was out of sympathy. lie was opposed to the nationalisation of any industry which could stand on its own feet and advance by its own initiative. “ Intensify Indlvlduallam." The lion. T. Bloodworth (Auckland) said Mr Davis had complained that the present legislation was the first step toward the socialisatlon of industry in New anland. ”I stand here as a confessed Socialist," de—clared .\lr Bloodworth, “and 1 wish I could agree with .\lr Davis. My opinion is that if this Bill is successful it will intensify individualism and not. real socialisation.” “ The more I look into the bill, the greater powers for the Government I discover," said the Hon. .1. Alexander (Auckland). He described the Bill as socialistic, and congratulated thej draftsman of the legislation on a neat; piece of work which cleverly con-‘ ceaied the doctrine of costless credit. After Mr Fagan had replied to thel debate at a late hour to—night the sec-t and reading was carried on the voices and the Council rose until to—morrow morning. i