STRONG PROTEST

Hokitika Guardian, 10 February 1934, Page 6

STRONG PROTEST

LEGISLATION HELD OVER

PROGRESS LEAGUE’S COMMENT

CHRISTCHURCH, -February 8.

A strong protest against the holding over of: important legislative; proposals to the end of the- Parliamentary session, so that ' they were rushed through without giving local bodies a change to voice opinions 'on matters which vitally concern them, it to be sent to the Government by the Canterbury Progress League.,

j- . The subject arose at last night’s meetI ing of the League’s executive, when the organiser, Mr P. R, Climie, reported oil behalf of the land valuation committee. That committee, said Mr Climie, had. not met; He had written'urgently askling for a copy of the Rill concerning land valuation. The measure had been held up till the' end of the session and then pushed through in the general rush. A copy of the Bill had been sent as soon as it was released, but as the second reading took place two days after the E/ill was released the committee j would have had no time to make recommendations had it wanted to do so. J Mr G. Maginness suggested the proI test against , such procedure.

“We had information,’ he said, “that this' Bill was drafted at the beginning of the session. It should have been forwarded, for consideration by local bodies, who were vitally effected. It was regarded with disapproval. Reasons could have been submitted and perhaps some good might have resulted. If it met with approval, then the measure would have been in a stronger position.” 1 . '

“They say party politics fosters healthy criticism,”. Mr Maginness concluded. “If it tends to waste time so there is this unholy rush at the" end, then the value is problematical.”