IN THE HOUSE

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 53, Issue 32417, 12 April 1944, Page 5

IN THE HOUSE

OPPOSITION TO BILL DRAFTED TOO HASTILY SPEECH BY MR A. SUTHERLAND •Speaking on the Local Elections and Polls Amendment Bill in the House of Representatives recently, Mr A. >S. Sutherland, M.P. for Hauraki, said it was not correct to say that the Government had not received any assistance in its war effort, neither was it correct to say that the Opposition had resisted the popular franchise. What the Opposition considered was correct was that financial responsibility should come with the right to govern local bodies. The fact was that the present Government was living on the heritage built up by the people under previous Governments. Numerous Telegrams He said he had received numerous telegrams and letters protesting against the passing of the Elections and Polls Amendment Bill becoming law. Why the hurry with this Bill? The Bill was rushed before the House last Friday night. The Bill should be postponed until all interested local bodies and persons had been given an opportunity to give evidence before the Local Bills Committee.

It was impossible for many of the representatives l of local bodies and farmers’ unions to get to Wellington in time to give evidence. ’ No Vote for Soldiers The soldiers who were overseas were not going to be given the opportunity to vote and that was not fair, as it was only by the soldiers’ efforts that all had the opportunity to record their vote. He said that he had approached the Minister of Internal Affairs some months ago and asked him to endeavour to arrange that the soldiers be allowed to vote. He had done this atthe request of the Piako County Council. The Minister had then replied that nothing could be done. However, he did not mention that this very contentious Bill was contemplated. Promise to Counties Conference The Minister also promised at the annual Counties’ Conference that no controversial legislation would be brought down until the war was won. Why has the Minister taken this complete somersault? “ I have had numerous wires since I have been in my seat to-day l and. with the wires received yesterday that brings the total to over thirty telegrams. The Government wants the help of the primary producer and if this Bill goes through in its present form I feel it will have far-reach-ing effects on our local body administration,” continued Mr Sutherland. Drainage Boards Exempt

“I have not met one person who was in favour of the Bill. The Federation of Labour were the authors of the measure. I am pleased to see that several clauses have been cut out of the 'Bill, amongst them being the clauses affecting drainage boards. I am pleased at that as I have several drainage boards in my electorate, namely the Thames Valley Drainage Board, The Taupiri Drainage Board, The Hauraki West Drainage Board, the Hauraki United Drainage Board and some smaller boards. I would also like to have seen harbour boards and’ power boards excluded. Should Be Delayed “The passing of the Bill should not be proceeded with at the present time. If the Government will not definitely defer the Bill, then it at least should give reasonable time for the Bill to be further examined by all interested parties. The many amendments that have been written into the Bill since it came before the Local Bills Committee shows that the original Bill was hastily drafted,” concluded Mr Sutherland.