DAIRY CONTROL BILL.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 2729, 23 August 1923, Page 5

DAIRY CONTROL BILL.

LIBERAL’S STRONG ATTACK. UNPARLIAMENTARY COMMENT OF MINISTER. IMPORTANT EMENDATIONS. (From our Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Last NightMatters were a little heated in the House this afternoon, after the Dairy Control Bill was reported by the Agricultural and Stock Committee, with the recommendation it be allowed to proceed with amendments. Mr. Masters said he wanted to enter a protest against the manner hi which the Bill had been held up. The Government could not be sinceic In this matter. In the first place, when the Committee met, it was decided that there should bo two days devoted to those who opposed the Bill, and one to those who supported it. The Committee was desirous of shortening the proceedings as much as possible, in order to allow the Bill to come before the House at the earliest moment, but without consulting the Committee, the Minister altered that and decided to take evidence from all and sundry. The result was that already the matter had been held up for some considerable time. He wanted to draw the attention of tire House and the farming community to the fact that, though the report had been presented only that afternoon, it was ready eight days ago, and now it was brought down when the session was within four days of its conclusion. This was' the'most important legislation ever brought before the New Zealand Parliament, dealing with what was now the most important industry in Now Zealand. The Committee had gone to a great deal of trouble and ha a taken a great deal of evidence on the subject. This evidence had been printed, but it had not been circulated yet. The Government was not treating the matter in a manner which Indicated sincerity. The whole thing had been shelved, either to force u through in the dying hours of the’session, or to shelve it, in the hope that, some members not of its party would oppose the Bill, and the Government would then be able to put on to them the blame for preventing the Bill from going on the Statute Book. It was a wrong thing In principle for the Government to bring down and rush legislation of a revolutionary character, without giving the members of the House an opportunity to gp through the evidence. A Liberal: “ Has the evidence been printed yet ? ” Mr. Masters: ’* The evidence was printed nearly two weeks ago.” Mr. Masters, continuing, said the House could not say that the farmers of the country wanted the Bill. While speaking in Taranaki during the election, Mr. Massey said: “ Let the farmers agree on some form of legislation and the Government will pass the necessary measure." Could Mr. Massey say the farmers had agreed on the Bill ? He must admit there was strong opposition all over the Dominion by farmers to the Bill, mainly on account of its compulsory clause. He believed that if the Qvemment would bring down a measure on the lines of present Bill, except that the compulsory clause would be omitted, it womd have no difficulty in getting through the House. There was no doubt the opposition had increased considerably since last year. There was no doubt there was a number of men who were supporting the Bill who were not farmers, and who were nothing else than professional chairmen. Tho secretary of the National Dairy Association had said that unless the producers wanted the Bill, it would not bo forced on them. Mr. Noswonhy described Mr. Masters’ speech as “ a dirty attack on the Government.” Mr. Wilford objected to such language, and the Speaker ordered the withdrawal of trie W'wds.

air. Nosworthy Uiffn said air. Masters had made an unfair attack, knowing that members were not then to be called on to vote on the Bill, and in the meantime, they would be able to read the evidence given before the Committee. Ho declared his determination to put (he Bill through if he could.

air. Forbes srtld the Government was not justified in bringing the Bill down at the end of the session, after the delay that had taken place. air. Massey said the delay was In the printing office. air. Masters retorted that it had been printed and prepared Ift completed form for a fortnight. The report was tabled with about two minutes to spare. Had the discussion lasted two minutes longer, the effect would have been another days delay. « Several important alterations have been made by the Agricultural ana Pastoral Committee to the Dairy Control Bill. It is now provided that nine producers' representatives shall be elected by direct vote of the producers. Licensing authority 'is vested solely in the Minister, but the Control Boara may still impose conditions regarding contracts. It is now proposed that the Board shall not exercise its power* so as prejudicially to affect the sale of produce out of New Zealand It a contract has been entered into in writing on or before October 1, 1922.