Labour Protests At Move On Bill

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30804, 16 July 1965, Page 3

Labour Protests At Move On Bill

(New Zealand Press Association) " WELLINGTON, July 15. ’ Introduction of a bill to amend the 1962 Sale of Liquor Act prompted a volume of protests from the Opposition today in Parliament.

The Minister of Justice (Mr Hanan) who introduced the bill, said the Statutes Revision Committee would meet tomorrow to deal with points raised in the debate.

The Opposition objected mainly to the short period between introduction by Mr Hanan and consideration by the committee. The committee had been scheduled to consider the bill next week. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Nordmeyer) told the House this would not give the public time to consider aspects of the bill about which they might want to protest. He also asked if the press would be given the right to attend committee sessions. Opposition members protested against the Government’s proposal to refer the bill to amend the 1962 Sale of Liquor Act to the Statutes Revision Committee next week. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Nordmeyer) said he approved the bill going through a committee, but he deplored the short notice between today’s introduction by the Minister of Justice and consideration by the committee. “Not Time” He said this would not give the public time to consider aspects of the bill they wished to protest about. He hoped when the committee sat it would take the necessary action to pass a formal resolution to the House giving the press the right to attend. Mr Hanan said he wanted the first sitting of the committee to be held next week, but it would be unthinkable for it to push the bill through without giving objectors time to make representations. Dr. A. M. Finlay (Opp., Waitakere) said the short time between the introduction of the bill and the planned first meeting of the committee was making a joke of the House. He said the bill would give rise to great public interest and yet many persons would not receive their copies before the week-end. Even if persons had time to

read the bill and were ready to give evidence next week, they would only really be ready to give preliminary evidence, he said. In reply to a question from Dr. Finlay, Mr Hanan said no charters would be granted to sports clubs in a no-licence area. Mr N. E. Kirk (Opp., Lyttelton) said only those in favour of the bill would be ready to give evidence next week. He said churches could only make submissions after first consulting with members and the early sitting of the committee would place them at a disadvantage. Union Position Mr Kirk said the union involved would be vitally concerned with any changes in the legislation and it surely had the right to plenty of time to consider the proposals and make representations to the committee. “I cannot see the great necessity for rushing the bill to a committee. “In fairness to all who have a live interest in the matter they should be given the proper opportunity to present their view.” Mr Hanan said evidence from sources such as the Justice Department and chartered clubs would be ready for submission next week. “We should not string along legislation till the end of the session and then pass it in the early hours of the morning,” he said. Mr S. A. Whitehead (Opp., Nelson) said some very important evidence would be submitted to the committee and this should be available to the public. He said if the press was admitted and reported submissions it could save duplication of evidence by other groups. The groups would see similar views had been presented Mr Hanan and the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) said they were personally in favour of the press being present at the meeting but it was a question for the committee to decide. (Provisions of Bill, Page 1)