ROAD TO COMMUNISM.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 9, 8 December 1937, Page 11

ROAD TO COMMUNISM.

LOCAL MARKETING BILL

STRONG COMMENT IN UPPER HOUSE.

When the Legislative Council met this afternoon, the Primary Products Marketing Amendment Bill met with considerable opposition. Moving the second reading, the Lender of the Council (Hon. M. Fagan) said that the Bill would complete the task undertaken' when the guaranteed price was established, and would enable the local market for primary products to be controlled. It was not the intention of the Government to become a buyer and seller on a Largo scale, but the powers taken would lie valuable in the event of any national emergency. All that was proposed at present was the distribution of products with the least possible cost or disturbance. Hon. J. Alexander said the Bill was one more milestone on the road to Communism and one more gravestone to the liberty of the subject. It reminded him of a person who approached another quietly, but with the intention of heating the other unconscious.

Hon. B. C. Robbins made a vigorous defence of the measure, and said that if it was leading towards Socialism it was a good thing. He hoped to see the time when what the people produced would belong to the people. Hon. C. J. Carrington said the Bill was a sugar-coating for Communism, but it seemed futile to protest. He urged all who valued personal liberty to vote against the measure. Hon. J. Cotter supported the Bill and said that, while there was a lot of talk about Communism,: the Minister of Marketing was applying Christian principles to the law of the land. Hon. H. A. Russell said lie did not question the Christian principles of the Minister, hut no man could be Minister for always. He considered that private enterprise could show Christian princplcs as well as the Government. , , Hon. E. R. Davis said the Bill would lead to higher prices and marketing dictatorship. . Hon. ■ W. W. Snodgrask said he opposed the Bill 1 localise it interfered with the rights of the individual. Hon. YV. Perry also opposed it because it interfered with private enterprise which, he sa.id, created the incentive to work, to plan and to think, and brought out the best in the individual and the nation. ~ , Hon. Sir Heaton Rhodes said the Bill was one more nail in tlie coffin of private enterprise. . Mr Fagan replied to the debate ana said there was no relation between the Bill and the doctrines of Communism. The proposals of the Bill had been in operation in Wellington for eleven months and nothing dreadful had happened. The intention of the Minister of Marketing was to encourage the efficient trader and bring the inefficient one up to a state of efficiency. The second reading was carried by 18 to 11.

AMENDMENT ATTEMPTED

When the Council, in Committee, reached clause 6, which gives power for fixing prices and makes conditions for the sale of foodstuffs, Hon. Sir Heaton Rhodes moved an amendment to make tlie clause inoperative for trade between two primary producers. Mr Fagan said he would not accept the amendment, because it was quite unnecessary. The Government did not intend to apply the powers it was taking to any industry unless those engaged in that industry asked to he covered by the Act.

Hon. Sir James Allen said that was an important statement, and asked if it would be put on record. Mr Fagan said he would place it on record when the third reading was reached.

The amendment was rejected by 19 votes to 10 and the clause adopted by 18 to 10.

When the, third reading was taken, Mr Fagan repeated the statement made in committee and the third read-, ing was taken without protest. The Bill was passed and the Council adjourned at 10 p.m.