‘Crazy Way To Run Country,’ Mr Holland Says

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 November 1947, Page 3

‘Crazy Way To Run Country,’ Mr Holland Says

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, November 13. There was nothing really contentious in the Bill, said the Minister of Finance( Mr W. Nash), explaining the contents of the Finance Bill of 40 clauses, which was introduced in the House of Representatives. There was a division on Clause Three, which provides for the abolition of the Main Highways Fund, but the clause was retained by 37 votes to 35. Mr Nash said a clause ratifying the charters of ships for the Crown was made necessary by the use of chartered ships on the trans-Tasman trade and for long coastwiseWoyages. Mr Nash said that as far as possible the Government would see that the money available to the Main Highways Board, now r that the Main Highways Account was abolished, would be as much as under the old system. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr S. G. Holland) said the Minister’s explanation of the Bill was a very good demonstration of “the crazy way he ran this country.” Just about each clause of the Bill was a Bill on its own, and thirty different statutes were to be altered by the passing Oi. the Bill. He protested against the manner in which legislation was being put before the House without an opportunity for close examination of it. On top of that, urgency was sought. , _ “Some day I hope we will find a better method,” said Mr Holland, adding that the Government had no. yet found the right technique. There was, however, need for co-operation at present, so as to enable the Minister of Finance to attend the Havana conference. Mr Holland said the Opposition would co-operate by agreeing to the second reading and would confine its discussion on the short title, which would give members more opportunities of speaking on matters of concern. The Prime Minister Mr Fraser said the speech of the Leader of the Opposition had a familiar ring. He had heard the same sort of speech for the i last 30 years, and had made it himI self on a number of occasions. He I quite agreed, however, that majoi i Bills should be brought down early m the session. The New Year would see an improvement, however, as the Coal Mines Bill was nearly ready, except for a “few artistic detai s, would be brought down early m the next session. , ' Opposition members opened the discussion on the Bill in the committee stage with criticism of the decision to abolish the Mam Highways Account.