USING RESOURCES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20254, 23 May 1940, Page 7

USING RESOURCES

POWER IN BRITAIN PEOPLE AND PROPERTY QUICK PASSAGE OF BILL TIME FOR ACTION UNANIMOUS OPINION (Elec. Tel. Copyright —United Press Assn.) (British Official Wireless.) Reed. 2.15 p.m. RUGBY, May 22. The passage o£ the Emergency Powers Defence Bill was accomplished within about three hours. The predominant feeling in both Houses was summed up by Mr. H. B. Lees Smith (Lab., Keighley), who said: “We are setting a precedent now.. It is not the time for discussion, but for action—the time for showing that the House of Commons can be a completely efficient instrument for the conduct of war.” The Lord Privy Seal, Major C. R. Attlee, in the course of his speech, said the same thing in another way when he declared amid cheers: “While these powers are necessary, the real force behind us to-day is the will and determination of a united free people.” Referring to the Government’s plans for the control of all property. Major Attlee said that some firms might be closed and there might be destruction of property here and there. Difficult questions of compensation would arise. There would be control of the country’s finances—the banks. This would be done under the Government’s orders. “Victory is our goal,” he declared. “We must and shall attain it.” Regional Commissioners In enlarging on the provisions of the bill, Major Attlee made it clear that it had been drafted to meet all eventualities and the powers could at need be exercised through regional commissioners. In connection with labour. Major Attlee said it was essential to see that there was no loss of skilled labour, and the Minister of Labour, Mr. Ernest Brown, intended to work in the closest co-operation with the trade unions and employers’ organisations. Cases might occur where customs and practices of an industry that had been agreed upon between the employers and employed would be set aside for the time being, but everybody engaged in this great effort could be, as they should be, satisfied that the rights which they -waived would remain in being. Production Council The Ministry of Labour would be given the responsibility of supplying the labour required for the munitions programme of the departments, and it was proposed at once to set up a Production Council consisting of representatives of the chief Government departments concerned with munitions supplies—the Admiralty, the Ministry of Aircraft Production, the Ministry of Supply, the Ministry of Labour, the Ministry- of Agriculture and the Ministry of Mines, which would be presided over by Mr. A, Greenwood. The first meeting of the counci! would be held to-night. In the House of Lords, the Dominions Secretary, Lord Caklecote, described the purpose of the bill as to extend the existing law so as to give the Government complete control over persons and property, and enable competent authority to acquire the services of every individual to be used as directed.