PROGRESS REPORT PRESENTED

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25549, 17 July 1948, Page 8

PROGRESS REPORT PRESENTED

PARLIAMENT

EMERGENCY REGULATIONS COMMITTEE PRIME MINISTER PROMISES FULL DEBATE (P.A.) WELLINGTON, July 16. Recommendations involving the continuance or repeal of the Emergency Regulations are made in a progress report presented to the House of Representatives to-day by the Emergency Regulations Committee appointed last session. The committee was granted an extension of time to September 15 to enable further evidence to be taken on the supply regulations. A promise that there would be the fullest opportunity for debate on the committee’s reports was given by the Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) in reply to the Leader of the Opposition (Mr S. G. Holland). The report stated that the evidence showed the Government was considering introducing legislation to absorb the existing Emergency Regulations covering 23 different subjects. These included regulations dealing with stabilisation, aliens, defence, finance, licensing, coalmines, and the waterfront industry. The committee had decided that these regulations should stand over pending legislation. In the second category the committee recommended that regulations dealing with 29 subjects should be allowed to lapse by the end cf the year unless it was found possible to revoke them earlier. These include some dealing with labour and industrial matters, milk deliveries national service, naval enlistment and mobilisation, and teachers who were conscientious objectors and defaulters. Continuation Recommended The next category lists the regulations the committee recommended should continue in force, subject to annual review by Parliament. These include the regulations dealing with cargo control, enemy property, local authorities’ temporary housing schemes, motor registration, occupational re-establishment, war bonds, and war service gratuities. The committee listed a number of regulations which it considered should be transferred to some appropriate statute under which • they would more suitably operate. Egg marketing and the Industrial Efficiency Regulations were among those on this list. ___ The committee recommended that emergency regulations dealing with hides, pelts, and sheepskins should be allowed to lapse at the end of the year. It considered the situation should be kept under close observation. If the Government considered it necessary, in view of its stabiHsation policy, to continue to regulate the cost of leather content in boots, shoes, and other leather goods and to ensure local supply, then steps should be taken to see that the position of the primary producers who sunpl ied the local market was not prejudiced. Matters dealt with in the Strike and Lock-out Emergency Regulations. 1939, should be the subject of legislation and the Government should introduce a bill as soon as possible.