WATER BILL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 259, 3 November 1933, Page 7

WATER BILL.

STORM BREAKS. STRONG OPPOSITION. "FIGHT WITH GLOVES OFF." LABOUR LEADER EMPHATIC. i! (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON', this day.

The spectacle of the Labour party offering unrelenting hostility and opposition to a private bill introduced by one of its flock, Mr. H. G. K. Mason (Auckland Suburbs), greatly intrigued the House this afternoon.

According to the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. M. J. Savage, the till will be fought "with the gloves off," and he invited his colleague to explain precisely where he stood in the issue.

The introduction of a GovernorGeneral's Message opened up a storm of protest, which raged from the Opposition benches. The message conveyed the Waikato Water Supply Company Empowering Bill, Mr. Speaker statingthat as the measure involved the rights of the Crown this course was necessary. He also suggested that prior to the formal introduction Mr. Mason should present a petition he had received in favour of the bill.

Mr. Savage: I have a petition in opposition, and I would like the privilege of presenting it. Mr. Speaker replied that this eoukl be done at any time before the second reading. Government's Attitude. The Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates said any measure which contained a matter affecting the rights of the Crown could not be read a first time unless a message was received from the Governor-General indicating assent to that course. "But this," he added, "in no way signifies the Government's approval of the general principles and provisions of the bill, which will have the consideration of various State Departments when the bill is before a Select Committee of the House."

"No Sentiment." "What is going to happen next?" asked Mr. Savage. "This is the first move in the fight. When can we expect the second bout? I can assure the member in charge we are not going to be taken back to the mid-Victorian era without a battle. The principle of this bill, that the water supply of the suburban area of Auckland should be handed over from municipal control to that of a private corporation —are we in the twentieth century or are we not ? I wish to assure Mr. Mason this will be a battle with the gloves off. There will be no sentiment." Mr. E. A. Wright {Coalition, Reform, Wellington Suburbs): That's the stufll Mr. Savage: What I want to know is when will we have the next round. Then the member in charge will find he has something to reply to. I wonder what he thinks about the bill.

A direct invitation was extended to Mr. Mason by Mr. J. A. Lee (Labour, Grey Lynn), to say whether he approved the contents of the bill, or whether he agreed to foster it simply because no other parent could be found for it. "At the earliest moment," Mr. Lee added, "I would like to know his attitude, and also whether it is his intention to foster a bill to hand over the Auckland transport system to private enterprise. It will not only be a light with the gloves off.

Mr. A. S. Richards (Labour, Roskill) What about knuckle-dusters?

- People Behind the Bill. Mr. Lee: This bill represents the worst form of American politics. Mr. W. E. Barnard (Labour, Napier): Don't be too hard. Mr. Lee: It is a bartering of the rights of the people to a few individuals who want to make a profit out of it. The. people behind this, bill have a substantial interest in the milk-vending business, which is a most suspicious state of affairs. Mr. F. W. Schramm (Labour, Auckland East): This bill will be fought to a finish. Mr. J. A. Nash (Coalition, Reform, Palmerston North): You had better drop it. Mr. Lee: The promotors of the bill, having secured control of the milk supply, now want water from the Waikato.

Mr. Richards: They have control over butter. Mr. H. S. H. Kyle (Coalition Reform, Riocarton): What about coal? Mr. L§e: Yes. Mr. Richards: And the Government. It was pointed out by Mr. Schramm that the Auckland City Council was opposed to the bill, which Mr. Mason could be assured would have a very stormy passage. He congratulated the promoters of the bill on their foresight and cunning in selecting Mr. Mason as its sponsor. The Labour party did not stand for the principle, and it invited Mr. Mason to say whether he approved the idea of giving a monopoly right to a private concern to supply a public utility. .

"Not Proper to Prejudge Case." Replying to Mr. Savage, Mr. Mason said that a bill of this nature was proceeded with in a different manner from ordinary bilk. A' special committee would have to be set up, and proceedings of a judicial character would take place before that committee. Since that committee would" exercise judicial functions, and would hear evidence, it was not proper to prejudge the case at the present stage. Those who wanted the bill would be called on to make good their case, and objectors would be able to appear and lodge their objections.

"As to the objections concerning milk vendors coming into the case, this is not the first time I have had to do with the inauguration of water supply schemes, and it has been invariably the case that the milk vendors clamoured for more water," added Mr. Mason, amid laughter. Mr. Savage: Mr. Mae on knows, as well as I do, what is going on about the matter, and the fight can't start too soon. He added that he was prepared to start the fight at any stage of the proceedings. The bill was read a first time, and i referred to a committee of