LABOUR RALLY

Evening Star, Issue 21080, 18 April 1932, Page 10

LABOUR RALLY

fiISETHiG IH QUEEN'S GARBERS Notwithstanding the unfavourable weather <*oiuii cions prevailing, a large croud assembled m the Queens Gardens yesterday afternoon at a meeting addressed by representatives ol the Otago Labour Representation Committee and the Otago District Council of the New Zealand Alliance ol Labour._ Mr \V. Moreland occupied tho chair, and the lirst speaker was Mr P. Ncilson, who, iu the course ol an address lasting three-quarters of "an hour analysed the economy legislation and gave a general survey of the political situation. Mr M. Silvcrstone dealt with the taxation proposals of the Minister of finance (Hon. W. Downio Stewart), stating that, whereas Mr Stewart estimated the deficiency for 1933 at £2,000,000, ho (Mr Silverstone) was of the opinion with prices as they were, there would be a deficiency of nearer £4,000,001) than £2,000,000. This would entail a further attempt to reduce wages in order to enable the Budget to bo balanced. The national debt payment would absorb 50 per cent, of the estimated revenue for 1932-33, and this would mean further heavy taxation for next year. The speaker also drew attention to the repeated statement of the Prime Minister that no dole would be paid in New Zealand. Ho said the ‘ Financial Times ’ was now advocating the dole system, and was condemning tho Government system of providing unproductive works. Mr J. Robinson, in speaking of tho effect of the amendments to the I.C. and A. Act. said that, now that arbitration had been withdrawn, the only tiling let to workers, if they wanted to maintain the conditions they had fought for for nearly forty years, was to take industrial action themselves. The effect of the amendments would be adverse to business people, so many of whom were already on the verge of bankruptcy, and there would probably be dislocation o industry. The workers could take no responsibility for that, as the position was forced on to them. The Government seemed to be merely acting as a debt-collecting organisation for the financiers in the Old Country. Mr Bryan O’Donnell also spoke, but the rain cut the meeting a little shorter than was intended.

police and local authorities in the various centres might be strengthened, and a decision has been reached to introduce legislation along the lines of the couth Australian Act which was passed in 1930 and extended for a further term. Inst year. .... The New Zealand measure, it is antiirpated. will empower the Government, m the event of the existence of circumstances likely to imperil the public safety or order, to issue a proclamation declaring that a state of emergency exists. Such orders would have currency for'a h/nited period, with the right to be revived by further proclamations of a stato of emergency. In addition the measure will doubtless set out regulations that can bo made to ensure the i.Ccctivo execution of* the proclamation. if the terms of the Adelaide Act have bran closely followed these legislations will relate to (It the securing of public safety and order: (2) con!erring on Ministers of the Grown and other authorised prisons powers for securing public safety and order, f3' empowerin’; Ministers to engage, to the exclusion of all other poisons, any industry, trade or busincs for the provision of ary goods or services: (-1) the securing of' die es-entiais of life to the cominanity (M securing and regulating the supply and distribution of food, water, fuel, light, and other necessities: iM the maintaming of the means of transit, transport, locomotion, and otbci service?; (7' preventing interference, intimidation, molestation, or the annovance of any persons in relation to the lawful conduct of their affairs. . Penalties will bo provided for olienees and indemnities incorporated for those acting under the Act and- its regulations. The Bill is also expected to clear up lhe present doubt? as to the control of streets, the prohibition of public meetings and processions, and will possibly nlforcl official recognition to any authorised organisation of private <’iti;;~rr r s offering ih service to the Government :<i the infr-r"sts of the maintenance' of law and order.