AGRICULTURAL BILL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 294, 9 November 1934, Page 8

AGRICULTURAL BILL.

THE COAIAIITTEE STAGE.

Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Nov. 9

The debate in the Committee stage of the Agricultural (Emergency Powers) Bill was continued in the House of Representatives to-day. Air H. T. Armstrong considered a sum of money should be set aside for immediate assistance of the farmer. Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates said the legislation affected only those boards which had legislation affecting them. If other boards desired to be brought in that could be done, but it would have to be of their own volition. Was the country in a position to say what or how financial assistance should be provided ? What would happen when the industry was reorganised was another matter. He agreed that the Commission’s work was a full-time job. The only way the small man’s interest could be looked after was by the appointment of the Commission to have efficient organisation. Many marketing problems, such as quantities and quotas, had to be considered. He thought the position the country was facing was being lost sight of, and in order to give the assistance required it was necessary to have the organisation provided in the Bill. New Zealand’s best interests had not been best served because she had been hostile to Britain and had not been willing to discuss the matter with her. The present position was not of New Soaland’s own making, but was made by other countries who were imposing quotas, quantitative regulations and similar things. New Zealand had put herself in a, position to meet the changed situation. Air Vietch said that if the Government was wise it would draft legislation dealing with financial assistance and reorganisation and submit it to the country. That would give mefhbers an opportunity to consider it and enable them to come back to the House with definite views. The amendments to the Bill were so objectionable that he did not proposed to vote for it. Mr F. Langstone said that although the Minister, as chairman of the Commission, would provide a connecting link with Parliament, he did not see how his presence would make any difference if the other three members put their heads together against him. Air H. G. Dickie said the industry wanted to know what powers the Commission was going to have. The amendments as introduced were the result of representations made by the industry. Yvas the Commission going to be over the Dairy Division? The Government was also to have three Government nominees on the Dairy Board; he thought that was not necessary and contended that if the price was to be guaranteed the output would have to be reduced. Rev. C. Carr said that financial assistance and control must go together. The control proposed was not co-opera-tive, but corporative, which was very different.