FEDERAL POWERS

Grey River Argus, 25 February 1944, Page 2

FEDERAL POWERS

Industrial Enterprise OPPOSITION PARTIES HOSTILE. CANBERRA, Feb. 24. The Opposition will fight against the Federal Government being granted wider powers at the proposed referendum this year. The Federal Powers Bill was debated in the House of Representatives. For the first, time the Opposition unequivocally de j fined its position when its leader (Mr. Menzies) moved an amendment seeking the withdrawal and redrafting of the Bill. One section of the amendment provided that the Government should not have the power to engage in any civil production industry not authorised by its existing powers. Another section declared that no amendment to the Constitution should be approved which would authorise socialisation of industry, undue centralisation of administration, or maintenance of laws which unnecessarily interfered with the liberty of citizens to choose their own means of living; and to exercise their rights as a free people. The amendment, if carried would have the effect of -killing the Bill. The amendment is not likely to be carried. ... A further amendment to the aiu will be moved bv the Country Party Leader (Mr. Fadden), who will propose the withdrawal of the D'll the calling of another conference with the States in the hope of ing a voluntary transfer of the powers sought. His method was tried earlier, g but four State Parliaments failed to ratify their Premiers piomises to grant powers. Mr Spender has asked that new ’provisions '.should be in the Bill. These are, firstly, a guarantee of freedom of speech and writing - secondly, prevention of the pracHce of delegating legislative powers to people outside Parliament. These provisions have been widely advocated bv political commentators. The debate was adjourned.