CAUTION URGED

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20909, 14 September 1939, Page 11

CAUTION URGED

EMERGENCY POWERS

BILL PASBED BY PARLIAMENT TREATMENT OF REFUGEE ALIENS (By Telegraph.—Special to Times) WELLINGTON, Wednesday A substantial clearance of legislative business was made from the Order Paper by the House of Representatives today. After the customary formalities and presentation of reports by the select committees, the House proceeded to discuss the Emergency Regulations Bill, which gives the Government wide powers of control over nearly all public and private utilities and activities. Two hours were sufficient for this measure 1 to be put through all stages and passed. In moving the second reading of the Bill, the acting-ZPrime Minister, the Hon. P. Fraser, said the Government needed the powers contained in the legislation if the country was to give of its best, and the interests of New Zealand and the British Commonwealth conserved. The Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. A. Hamilton, urged the exercise of caution and wise and judicious administration in any use made of the regulations. Treatment of Allens Turing the discussion reference was made to aliens who are recent arrivals in New Zealand from Europe. Mr Fraser said it would be a tragedy if because of misfortune in their former land, such people were persecuted in their new home. However, nothing would be left undone to see that no evilly-disposed person did harm to the country. The Commissioner of Police, Mr D. J. Cummings, had set aside competent officers of the force to deal with aliens, and they were satisfied that they had the matter well in hand. Consideration of the Transport LawAmendment Bill was resumed before the tea adjournment. Numerous amendments were made to the Bill by the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. R. Semple, with a view to overcoming opposition that had been given to some of the more contentious clauses. The Bill as amended was passed, after which the House went into committee to consider the Public Works Estimates. The Hon. A. Hamilton suggested that mopey voic’d for this purpose should be used for more urgent needs, such as defence and production. Mr Fraser replied that such money would be expended where it was most urgently required, irrespective of the purpose for which it might have been voted. The Estimates were passed and the House rose at 10.25 p.m. until, tomorrow. DATE OF TERMINATION EMERGENCY RESTRICTIONS (By TelegTapn.—special to Times) WELLINGTON, Wednesday The fixing of a period for the termination of restrictions under the Emergency Regulations Bill was advocated in the House of Representatives today by Mr J. Hargest (Opposition— Awarua)? He said it might be possible to stipulate that the Bill would cease to have effect from the signing of peace or perhaps three months after that, but at least it would be desirable to have something to let people

know that there would he a termination of such conditions. “This is a difficult question,” said the acting-JPrime Minister, the Hon. P. Fraser, “-but I will certainly undertake to look into it again and see if it is possible to stipulate some time for j the termination of the Act. If that can be done, I will be very pleased indeed. The Government brings in this legislation in a humble spirit. It has no desire to be a dictator of the people's lives and liberties, but the circumstances are exeptional, and for that reason exceptional powers are taken.”