STRONG ATTACK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 238, 8 October 1936, Page 10

STRONG ATTACK.

MR. FORBES' CONCERN " IMPOSSIBLE CONDITIONS." BUREAUCRATIC COJTTROE. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) Wellington, Wednesday. When the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Forbes, moved his amendment proposing that the Industrial Efficiency Bill be referred back to chei Government for reconstruction, the amendment was seconded, by Mr. C. A. Wilkinson (Egmont), who recently joined the National, party, and laughter was. raised among Government members by, the comment of Mr* T. H. McCombs (Government, LytteTton), "The old leader and the .new!" '.■ - ' Mr. Forbes suggested that the word "board" having become obnoxious to the Government, it was setting up a body called a bureau. This was to have the power of planning industries. He as a farmer would not like to see members of the bureau, though excellent public servants, deciding how he was to plan. It was ludicrous, and lie could not understand why the Minister was adopting such an idea. When New Zealand imposed high Customs duties and outside manufacturers complained, they were told that they were welcome to bring their capital into New Zealand and manufacture here, but under tlii3 bill he could not imagine any overseas firm attempting to come in when it had to satisfy a bureau which could impose impossible conditions. He could" quite understand men already established 'deciding that they wanted nobody else in their industry. He reminded the Government that when the former Administration introduced measiires relating to the dairying and meat industries they allowed them to remain before; the, House many, weeks, during which time committees of the House called evidence and went thoroughly into the proposals. The result was that when they reported the whole House had confidence in their recommendations, but in the present case this was not done, though there was an efficient Industries and Commerce Committee. Too Far-reaching. Mr. Forbes said he was not going to ,say that-the clauses relating to research were not necessary, but he felt sure that most of the provisions of the bill would have the opposite effect from that expected .by the Minister in.charge, for

Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbe*

they would not encourage the development of industry or find more employment. He was positive that if a committee of the House had considered the Efficiency Bill it would not have supported some of its provisions, while the Minister himself must see the danger of talking the complete onus on himself regarding decisions about carrying on industries. He was also doubtful if manufacturers had all been able to give their opinions. He moved his amendment not for the purpose of prolonging the debate, but because the bill was too far-reaching in its power to regulate all industry. Mr. j?6rbes said he considered the Prinje Minister- was not showing consideration tp the House, nor studying the efficiency of its legislation in not permitting it' to be considered by a Select Committee, to which members, would pay more attention than to any other.body. He. knew it was a unique experience for such a measure to be put through without investigation, and the Minister- in charge, when in opposi tion, always insisted that , the former Government should send its bills to cpinmittee. The Prime Minister. Mr. Savage: And it seldom did. Mr. Forbes: We certainly did with a bill of this magnitude. Review Absolutely Essential. In seconding the amendment Mr. Wilkinson said the bill was not known to the people vitally concerned. Tens of thousands of people came within the scope of the bill, which simply controlled the whole country. It was of such magnitude , that it was absolutely essential for it to be hold o\er for further consideration. Wliilei he was opposed to the bill, Mr. Wilkinson added, he could not agree with those who said that no organisation of industry was necessary. He .believed there were many industries in need of organisation. He felt certain that the Minister did not want to hurt anvone, but he was mistaken, in his ideas. -If the-Government put ..the bill into operation .it would do a ve sJ™"* wrong to enterprising people. The bill was sweeping. It was drastic;, It affected the whole community, the whole field of commerce, and the whole field of activity. It simply meant handing over all initiative, all enterprise and all control to the Ministrr. _ Mr. Wilkinson add.'d that he believed that the Minister himself felt that the bill was shaky, that it was not too good. Though several members of the Oppo- | sition supported delay no Government members commented on the amendment, I which, on .a division, was •. lost by, 42 I votes to 17.