ELECTORAL LAW AMENDMENTS

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24712, 1 November 1945, Page 4

ELECTORAL LAW AMENDMENTS

CHANGES OPPOSED \ ■ !_ ABOLITION OF COUNTRY QUOTA .'■._;.■_ "This conference of representatives of commerce and industry throughout New Zealand strongly disapproves of the proposal now before Parliament to alter, without reference to the electors, the present basis of representation which, by usage over many years, is a recognised part of our constitution/'. This resolution, moved by Mr G. D, Stewart (Wellington),'was carried at the Dominion conference of the Associatea Chambers of Commerce in Christcnurcn yesterday. Discussion on/the Government's proposal to aboiish.tne country quota was introduced -when the following remit, moved on behaif of the Canterbury Chamber oi Commerce by Professor A. H. Tocker, was before the conference: "that this conference, is. of the opinion that the present system or iiee competitive enterprise is in the best interests of the whole of the people of New Zealand, and that the Government be urged to define clearly and immediately its proposals regarding the respective spheres, of btate and free competitive enterprise, in order that the latter may plan its own future, and contribute its full share to post-war reconstruction." Moving this remit, Professor Tocker said there had been some inflation in New Zealand before the war, but during the war inflation had considerably increased because the- money available exceeded the quantities oi goods which could be purchased. During the- war, there had been a very considerable* encroachment of Government control into fields where it did not seem to be merely for war purposes. ' Controls and restrictions were hampering production, "and people had not the necessary . basic security for productive development. Mr J. R. Dench (Canterbury), who seconded the remit, referred to the dangers of political control of business, and to the success which, had attended private enterprise in the British Empire!

Importance of Rural Community Mr G. D. Stewart then suggested, as an addition to the remit, that reference should be made to the proposed abolition of the country quota. After a. brief discussion on procedure, the conference decided to consider MfStewart's proposal as a separate motion, and the Canterbury remit, moved by Professor Tocker, was put to the meeting and carried. Referring to. Mr Stewart's' motion, Mr M. G. C. McCaul (Wellington) asked what would be the reaction to any proposal by the British Parliament to weaken the big industries in the Midlands. In New Zealand, the work, and prestige of the rural population were the basis of the country's welfare. At present, this section of the community was seriously threatened by the drift-of people ,from the country to the cities. Every possible means should be taken to counter this danger and to increase the prestige of the rural population. The present was no time to decrease the influence of country people. All those who had the welfare of New Zealand at heart, apart from any political leanings, should oppose the present electoral measure before Parliament. - Mr F. Wilson (Wellington) said he wanted to emphasise the "utter and complete unfairness" of eliminating consideration of all members of the community below the age of 21 in the computation of electoral boundaries, as proposed in the bill before Parliament. The vice-president (Mr J. T. Martin, of Wellington) said the Electoral vAmendment Bill was a matter of paramount .importance to the farming community, which should be supported, in its opposition to the bill, by the commercial community. The president (Mr J. B. Stewart, of Auckland) said that when he had previously referred to the formation of the Freedom Federation, which had been discussed by the conference in committee, he had said that the farmers would probably come into the organisation. If they were to obtain the farmers' support, thev should be prepared to do something for the farmers. Mr Stewart's motion was carried with a few dissentients.