FIRST READING

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32967, 13 July 1972, Page 1

FIRST READING

Introducing the bill in Parliament, Mr Garter said it represented the culmination of about eight years effort to improve the marketing of wool. The legislation was in almost the same terms as requested by the Wool Board.

The introduction of the bill was the beginning of further detailed study which would be carried out in the select committee, he said. Mr Carter said that opposition to the bill was “healthy.” If there was not opposition one might wonder about the interest of farmers. The Opposition’s agriculture spokesman, Mr C. J. Moyle (Mangere), said he was disturbed at Mr Carter’s remarks that the introduction marked the beginning of further detailed studies. He hoped that this did not indi-

cate a “go-slow” on the Government’s part. Mr Moyle said that the first wool marketing plan came from the Labour Party in 1967 and all investigations since then had confirmed the proposals. He opposed calls from some woolgrowers for a referendum on the proposals. The Wool Board was elected

f to make decisions after care- . ful consideration of propo- ■ sals, he said. A referendum 1 would not determine the best J course but merely provide ; leadership with an excuse to dodge their responsibilities, Mr Moyle said. Mr Carter gave an assur- ’ ance that there would be “no , inordinate delay” in getting the legislation through. • Mr W. E. Rowling (Lab., Buller) said the proposal for • a corporation had been ; around since 1967, and since ! then there had been five re- " ports or reports on reports. 1 Now was the time for legis- ’ lative action. “TWO VOICES”

The Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr Taiboys) said that the Labour Party was talking with two voices on the issue. It had a candidate opposing what the party was saying in the House. Mr Taiboys said there was no doubt in his mind that the proposal was a step in the right direction to bring wool legislation up to date and to put wool as a fibre in a position where it could compete. The Leader of the Opposion (Mr Kirk) said there were quite clearly a number of farmers not happy about the situation. But, he said, the sale of wool was important not only to farmers but also to the (balance of payments of the (Whole country. FIRST READING

The bill was not just a matter for the wool producer or the wool buyer but for the economy as a whole. ! Asked by Mr M. A. Connelly (Lab., Wigram) about :the question of a referendum of producers on the bill, Mr Carter said this was a matter between the elected representatives of the growers and those growers opposing the bill.

The bill was introduced and given a first reading and referred to the Land and Agriculture Committee.