COMPLETE CONTROL

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20254, 23 May 1940, Page 5

COMPLETE CONTROL

BRITAIN TAKES NEW POWERS MOBILISATION OF INDUSTRY “THROWING EVERYTHING INTO SCALE”, PERSONS & PROPERTY COMMANDEERED (Elec. Tel. Copyright.—United Press Assn.) (British Official Wireless.) Peed. 11.30 a.m. RUGBY; May 21. The Lord Privy Seal, Major C. R. Attlee, informed the House of Commons to-day that the present situation was so critical that the Government was compelled to seek special powers by a bill to. be passed through all . stages of both Houses to-day. “A great battle is now proceeding. Our men arc fighting on. sea. and land, and in the air with splendid eoui age, devotion, and spirit,” he said. “The result of that battle , we cannot know, but it must he clear to all that the next few weeks are critical. ) ‘ ‘ Our ruthless enemy is restrained by no considerations of international law, justice, or humanity, _ and is throwing everything into the scale to force a decision. We are resolved that he shall not succeed. No Need For Panic “The Government is convinced that now is the time that we must mobilise to the full the whole resources of this country. .We must throw all our weight into the struggle. Every private interest must be given to the urgent need of the community. We cannot know what the next few weeks, or even days, may bring forth, but whatever may come we shall meet it as British people in the past met dangers and overcame them. ....... “But it is necessary that, the Government should be given, complete control over persons and property—not just some persons or some particular class of the community, but all persons, rich and poor, men and women. Ido not ask for, these powers in any .'spirit of panic. There is do need for panic.” Sir Percy Harris, for the, Liberals, said that nothing would give the country greater confidence than the knowledge that the Government was prepared to take action rapidly and even against all constitutional practice and tradition. Major Attlee immediately moved the second reading of the Emergency Powers Defence Bill, the operative part of which he explained Avas an extension of the Emergency Powers Defence Act, 1939. *

Disposal of the State The powers conferred by the bill include provisions requiring persons .to place themselves, their services, and their property at the disposal of the State. The Minister of Labour will be empowered to direct any person to perform any service required. That did not necessarily mean in factories only. It applied to everyone. No one could tell avlio might be required to dig defences or do anything else. The Minister AA r ould* prescribe the. remuneration, hours, and conditions of work. • , “The bill deals also with the control of property,” lie added. “Some establishments may be controlled altogether right away. Others may be controlled later. The excess profits tax is at the rate of 100 per cent. There will be no profit made out of the national emergency. “The essential thing is that over a wide field of industry—- • how wide it is impossible to say at the moment.—industry shall be carried on for the community in el'fect and not for 'private profit.” The bill passed all stages without divisions and later was passed by the House of Lords.