PUBLIC SAFETY

Evening Star, Issue 21081, 19 April 1932, Page 10

PUBLIC SAFETY

THE GOVERNMENT'S BILL INTRODUCED TO-DAY [F*om On* Pahliamintaht Ripoutw.] WELLINGTON, April 19. The Government’s proposals for dealing with outbreaks of lawlessness similar to last week’s rioting in Auckland were submitted to the House this afternoon in the Public Safety Preservation Bill, which is to be passed before the House rises to-night. Briefly outlining the provisions of the measure to the House, Mr Forbes said that in the present unsettled stato of affairs it was absolutely necessary that the Government should hive' comprehensive powers to deal with any situation that might arise. The Bill before the House was similar to the legislation which had been adopted in other countries, including Great Britain and Australia, and would enable every situation to bo coped with on the spot. If the authorities were unable to deal with such a situation immediately considerable damage and loss of life might occur.

The Bill empowered the Government, if the circumstances warranted it, to declare by proclamation a state •of emergency which would enable every authority to be taken to enforce law and order. The proclamation would have effect for only a limited period, and its operation would cease when the need for the issue of the proclamation disappeared. In other words, it would be restricted to the actual period of emergency.

Mr Forbes added that other clauses would enable regulations to be made by Order in Council to give effect to the provisions of the Bill, and another section would confer on the Government tho right to proclaim a state of emergency in the event of physical disturbances, such as earthquakes, conflagrations, or other catastrophes. He thought sufficient power existed in the present legislation ot enable the offenders to he adequately punished. In such cases it was a question of the section under which a particular charge was laid.

Referring to the Auckland trouble, Mr Forbes paid a high tribute to the services of the police and the civic authorities, and congratulated them on the way they had handled the situation. They had displayed coolness and promptitude, and the country had reason to be proud of them. Mr Forbes expressed regret that several police officers had been injured in the execution of their duty, and voiced the hope that their recovery from injury would be rapid. The best indication of the Government’s intentions to preserve law and order,” said Mr Forbes, “ is to bo found in the provisions of tho Bill.”