TEST OF STRENGTH

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 288, 2 November 1934, Page 10

TEST OF STRENGTH

ON EMERGENCY POWERS BILL,

THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENTIONS

(By Telegraph.—Special to Standard.) WELLINGTON, Nov. 2. Emerging from the test of the Opposition Leader’s amendment, the Agricultural (Emergency Powers) Bill eventually passed the second reading stage just before 2 a.m. to-day, but it cannot be conceded that the Government is clear of its problems over the measure. From within its own party there are strong objections to the Executive Commission which, however, will he partly met when the modifications now under Cabinet consideration are completed. The Government is not hurrying into the Committee stage for this reason, as it is intended not to deal further with the Bill until Monday evening. Meanwhile there is time for another Coalition caucus, which will ensure that the final modification carries a sure majority. This morning’s margin for the Bill was ten, the only Government member voting against the second reading being Mr H. S. S. Kyle, while the Opposition was reinforced by cross-bench members.

Mr IV. J. Broadfoot is one of the Government supporters who is outspoken in his condemnation of placing a large measure of authority in the hands of three persons at present unknown, and his suggestion is to follow the Australian method of placing trade negotiation and market extension in the hands of specially appointed Ministers. Mr J. A. Nash, a Government Whip, also suggests modifications of this clause, his plan being a constitution similar to the Unemployment Board, of which a Minister is chairman, while the general functions of the chairmanship are conducted by a deputy-cliair-man. This, he considers, would give direct Government responsibility and Parliamentary control. MORE ABOUT EXCHANGE. The Minister of Agriculture (Hon. C. E. Macmillan) gave an interesting insight into his view on the high exchange rate when replying to the second reading debate. If we could get the same price for New Zealand butter as Denmark enjoys on the English market his' idea, lie said, was that we could take off the high exchange. It would solve a lot of problems, but it would be much better to negotiate with the British Government with the object that we should get as good a run as we possibly could. If New Zealand could approximate to Denmark in price our farmers would not have such a serious problem, and it would be possible to consider a reduction in the exchange. The Minister, when reminding the House that the Australian consumers pay 140 s a cwt for their butter, declared he did not approve of the local consumer paying more than he was paying.