POINTS IN DEBATE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 267, 10 November 1934, Page 9

POINTS IN DEBATE.

STATUS OF THE MINISTER. DAIRY INDUSTRY'S NEEDS. (By Telegraph.— Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Friday. When the Agriculture (Emergency Powers) Bill was considered by the House of Representatives to-day, in Committee, the Minister of Agriculture introduced a number of amendments, the principal of which was one increasing the membership of the Commission of Agriculture to four and appointing the Minister as chairman. The Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Savage, said he could not see any alteration in the principle at all. It was simply following the example of the Unemployment Board. The Minister would never occupy the chair, and the deputy-chairman would bo able to wander round the country as he liked. Mr. Savage said he was not averse to reorganising the dairy industry, but what was wanted was financial assistance for those who could not meet their bills now. Five Years' Appointment. Mr. C. A. Wilkinson (Independent, Egtuont) said there was no immediate need for the present bill, as it did not provide financial assistance for the farmers. The bill would only load them with further troubles. The appointment of the Minister as chairman of the commission would have no effect, as other members would over-ride him. The appointment of members for five years without the right of recall was monstrous. He asked the Government to hold the bill over, as it was too momentous to be put through on the last day of the session. Mr. W. J. Poison (Independent, Stratford) said the industry's first call was for immediate relief, but he thought he could say the industry was anxious for reorganisation. The bill did not meet with the general disapproval of the men in the industry, except those in the Auckland district. The bill was essential to control marketing and secure better trading arrangements. Mr. W. Nash (Labour, Hutt) said he was opposed to members of the Commission of Agriculture being allowed to occupy other positions. Under the present clause Mr. W. Goodfellow, Sir William Hunt, or Mr. D. Jones could be appointed to the commission. He asked why the Minister was taking away the power of the board to control the transport of milk and cream. "Plaything of Politics." The Hon. A. D. McLeod (Government, Wairarapa) said unless some co-ordina-tion in handling produce took place, then the whole thing would be made the plaything of politics, as it had been made, and was being made, in the House that day.

Mr. A. J. Stallworthy (Independent, Eden) said if the Government found it necessary to postpone the mortgage corporation legislation, which would give immediate financial assistance to farmers, why not postpone the present bill so as to give dairy farmers a reasonable opportunity to express an opinion on it? Mr. H. G. Dickie (Government, Patea) asked if the Commission of Agriculture was going to be over the dairy division. The Prime Minister, Mr. Forbes, said lie knew of members of no board that put their private business before that of the board. Mr. Langstone: The Government; directors on the Bank of New Zealand. Mr. Forbes denied that that was so. He said it would be euicidal for any member of the commission to retain his interests in any concern affected by it, as he would be too open to question. If members of the Commission abused their position, and the Minister reported to the Cabinet, their powers could be taken away by Order-in-Council, so ,the Minister was all-powerful.