CAUTION IN LAW-MAKING

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 81, 2 October 1924, Page 4

CAUTION IN LAW-MAKING

It is quite evident, on the reports of debates in the House of Representatives yesterday, that the Dairy Industry Bill was not generally understood by members. The chances are probably that tho mass of the dairy farmers are eveu less informed of the proposals. The dairying industry of the Dominion occupies a far too big and important place in its economic life to be exposed to risks of possibly hasty or immature legislation. It is conducted by the dairy farmers, but its failure or success is a matter of concern to the people of the Dominion as a whole. Therefore any new laws or changes in existing laws directly concerning that industry should not find their way on to the Statute Book until they have been fully and thoughtfully considered by the people whom they will directly concern ; also, in some degree, by those represented by members of Parliament, the general public. We are not convinced from the manner in which the Dairy Industry Amendment Bill was dealt with by individual members that the far-reaching changes contemplated by the framers of the legislation are well understood by the House. True, the' Bill has been referred to the Agricultural and Pastoral Committee, but the dairy farmers and the general public should bo allowed ample time to digest the proposals. This can be done at the various annual conferences of dairy farmers and through them by the public. The questions raised and the principles involved in the Bill are too important to be hastily dealt with.

Mr. W. H. Field (Otaki) is asking the Minister of Railways whether the Department will now extend the time, as was done last summer, for the departure of the return Sunday train from Otaki, and thus give visitors to the Manawatu line as much time as possiblo in the country; and whether the Department cannot accelerate the Sunday train to Otaki by reducing the duration of the long and dreary stops at Johnsonville. Plinniici-toii, and Paekakariki.

llic issue of a leaflet describing how accidents happen und bow they ,mnv be avoided was advocated by Mr. C." M. Bunks last evening at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Automobile Union. Mr. Banks referred to the fact that accidents were on the increase, and ho thought tlic issue of v leaflet would do much good. Lectures might also be given by members of the union in the principal towns of the Dominion. A recoiiiniendatlon on tnesa lines waa or._kmA.,M )« Uiwjjml.^4 _ *.1t» «_£_&£_