ORDERS-IN-COUNCIL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 24, 8 November 1940, Page 8

ORDERS-IN-COUNCIL

RATIFICATION BY PARLIAMENT.

URGED BY BUSINESS MEN

(Per Press Association;. NEW PLYMOUTH, November 7.

The principle of Parliamentary revieAA r of legislation by Order-in-Coun-cil Avas approved in a remit carried by the Associated Chambers of Commerce last night. It Avas pointed out that an act to gtoc effect to that idea had been introduced in England. The remit, sponsored by Canterbury and Wellington, AA’as: “That ibis conference urges the restriction of the use of Orders-in-Conncil for effecting changes in the Luav on the ground that it is contrary to the principles of democratic government and urges the Goa'ernment to discontinue the practice except in those cases that can bo met only by such emergency procedure. It further recommends to the Government that to ensure that all legislation is directly under the control of Parliament, a IaAV be enacted prescribing that all regulations automatically lapse unless confirmed by resolutions of both Houses of Parliament within, say, two months after the commencement of the session folloAving the gazetting of the regulations.” Last year, said Mr J. Roy Smith, 286 regulations were issued and this year that number had already boon reached Avith tAA’o months to go. Legislation by regulation cheeked criticism and discussion, and, in addition, regulations often received little publicity so that people concerned might knoAV nothing about the regulation till they ran up against it. One of the instances ho quoted Avas the Farm Loans Emergency Regulations, Avhich had the effect of seriously modifying existing legislation. That practice Avas Avrong, unless it could not he avoided. The aim of the remit Avas to put emphasis on legislation against regulation and to provide a check by Parliament on legislation by Order-in-Council. It Avas recognised that the use of the regulation method necessary and it Avas not Avished to hold up the business of the Government in any Avay. Price Control. Among other remits carried by the conference were:—• “This conference- views Avith great concern the amount of destruction caused to Government works in the course of construction, including the Waiouru Gamp and buildings. It recommends to the Government that all Government buildings already erected and in course of erection should bo Avell guarded during the war.” _ • “That this conference, being of opinion that it is not in the best interests of the Dominion that important legislation be passed Avithout allowing reasonable opportunity to citizens and their organisations to make representations thereon, recommends that in future the /Government alloAV sufficient time between the introduction and pass- : ing of Bills for those concerned to submit criticisms and helpful suggestions.”

“That the margin of profit alloAved by the Price Tribunal, based on pre : Avar costs, should, in the opinion of this conference, be increased by a percentage to offset additional overhead charges such as Avages, postages, transport, etc.” “That the Government he urged to recognise, as the underlying principles of price control: (a) the replacement costs basis; (b) approved percentage margins calculated upon cost.”