OPPOSITION DEFENCE CRITICISM

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 256, 27 July 1939, Page 10

OPPOSITION DEFENCE CRITICISM

Mr. Sullivan On Amateur Cromwells And Caesars NATIONAL PARTY AND VOLUNTARY SYSTEM Disappointment at the attitude toward the Government's defence preparations of tlie “amateur Cromwells, Caesars and Alexanders” of the Opposition was expressed by the Minister of Industries and Commerce, Mr. Sullivan, when speaking in tlie Addl’CSS-itl-Replj debate in the House of Representatives last night. Mr/Sullivan also contended that if tlie Opposition had been successful at the last election it would have been pledged to continue with the voluntary training system. “The speech delivered by the Minister of Defence last week should have served to reassure the House and the country that the Government was doing everything possible to make the Dominion’s defences effective,” Mr. Sullivan -said, “but I was disappointed, to find that, in spite of his statement that tlie Government hud been guided by experts from Britain, there was still querulous criticism from the amateur Cromwells, Caesars and Alexanders of the Opposition.” Mr. Broadfoot (Opposition. Waitomo) : Who did their job, too. The Opposition had concentrated during the debate on the necessity from its point of view for compulsory military training, the Minister added, hut in a policy statement on defence issued by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr. Hamilton, during the election campaign he had pledged the party to the voluntary training system. That statement had been issued during the Septemlier crisis, and if the National Party had been victorious at the polls. ’t would have been pledged to continue that system as the Government had done ‘ Mr. Bodkin (Opposition, Central Otago) : The Eastern situation has developed since then. Mr. Hargest (Opposition, Awarua) : You know that statement was prepared long before the crisis occurred. Mr. Sullivan: It was published on September 20, 1938. Mr. Hargest: That was still before the crisis. Mr. Sullivan: But you went to the polls on that document. MEAT INSPECTION Reintroduction Of Bill Milking its third tippearance in the House of Representatives since it was first introduced in March last year, the Meat Bill, formerly known as the Slaughter of Stock and Inspection of Meat Bill, was reintroduced yesterday by Governor-General’s message. With the exception of the change in title and some minor drafting alterations in a few clauses, the Bill is identical with that brought down toward the end of the second session last year. After an explanation by the Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Lee Martin, the Bill was read a second time pro forma and referred to the Agricultural and Pastoral Committee. The Minister said that the main clauses in the Bill were those requiring the establishment of abattoirs in centres with a population of more than 3000; a clause granting authority to the controlling body to collect fees; tlie tightening up of inspection of all meat to be used for human consumption; some readjustment of the issue of licences: and provision for more humane slaughtering, and some adjustment to the bobby calf trade. Another clause was designed in an endeavour to prevent undue competition between freezing works and the retail butchers. This clause provided that the works could sell to their ent ployees and to clients whose stock they killed, but if they sold to the public the shoi) would have to be detached from the export works. Two Opposition members, Messrs. Kyle (Riecarton) and Dickie (Patea) asked how far away the retail shop was required to be from the works Mr. Dickie said that at Patea the shop was some distance from tlie works, but was joined to it by a covered way, which kept tlie meat iu the best condition. The Minister: That would not comply. It has to be detached, and a reasonable distance away. Mr. Dickie: What we are trying to find out is what is the Minister’s idea of a reasonable distance. QUOTA HELD TO BE LIKELY Exports Of Dried Milk Tlie likelihood of a quota being established in connexion with tlie importation of New Zealand dried milk into Great Britain was mentioned by Mr. Broadfoot (Opposition, Waitomo) when speaking iu tlie House of Representatives yesterday. He said he understood that a leading man in the Dominion’s dairying industry was at present in London iu connexion with this possibility. _ Already there had been a i> per cent, reduction in New Zealand’s exports of mutton and lamb to Britain, and there were prospects of further trade being lost as a result of tlie attitude of France if import restrictions were not relaxed, he added. Finally, there were reper cussions as far as shipping was concerned. An abortive conference had been held in New Zealand in connexion with the renewal of the refrigerated freight contract and no word had been received from the Minister of Finance, Mr. Nash, in England about a successful conclusion. He had been told on good authority that the new agreement would mean an extra cost of £1,;>00,000 to the primary producers of New Zealand. INFORMATION SOUGHT Report On Iron Ores Of Dominion Information as to whether the Government lias received a report on the iron ores of the Dominion from tlie experts sent out by Brasserts is sought, by Mr. Broadfoot (Opposition, Waitomo) in a question of which lie gave notice in tlie House of Representatives yesterday. Tlie question is addressed to the Minister of Industries and Commerce, Mr. Sullivan. Mr. Broadfoot also asked whether, if the report is available, all members of 'the House would he supplied witli copies or, as in the case of the previous report, would copies lie supplied to Government members only. A point of order raised by Mr. Sulil van, who alleged that the second portion of the question was a mis-state-ment, was upheld by Mr. Speaker, Mr Barnard, who indicated that the (pies tion would be amended accordingly.