Slaughtering Amendment Bill

Manawatu Times, Volume 59, Issue 248, 24 October 1934, Page 8

Slaughtering Amendment Bill

DISCUSSION IN UPPER HOUSE Per Press Association. •WELLINGTON, Last Night. Speaking on the second reading of the Slaughtering and Inspection Amendment Bill in the Legislative Council this afternoon, Sir Francis Bell said the freezing companies had made strenuous efforts to have a right to be heard in the matter concerning the fixing of prices for slaughtering stock, which was under the control of the Minister, who acted on the recommendation of the Meat Board. If the Bill became law, the Minister would have power to fix the linlYt which could be exported by each company, and that provision opened the way to misuse of power. The Bill also gave power to the producers to have stock which had been rejected by freezing companies as below standard, slaughtered for export on their own account, with a consequent deterioration of the quality of exports. Sir James Allen said his experience in London made him realise the greatest tiling to aim at was quality.. Hon. .T. A. Ilanan said the trend of legislation was toward a state of Socialism and one was tempted to ask how far the country.was expected to go along that road. Hon. IL Masters said that. Sir Francis Bell should know that every pound of meat that left New Zealand was graded. Under the Bill the Minister did not lay down the price to bo charged lor the killing and freezing of stock, but his position was that of an appeal board and ho had power to fix reasonable charges. The Bill was read a second time. In committee Sir Francis Bell said the Bill would provide a loophole for the extension of businesses of overseas trusts, who had detrimentally affected the producers of South America. He did not want New Zealand to go through tho same experience, and he asked the Minister to postpone the third reading. Air. Alasters said no good purpose could be served by such a course. Tho third reading was challenged by Sir Francis Bell, but was carried by 13 votes to 2, Sir James Allen being the other dissentient. The Bill was passed. The Electrical Wiremen’s Registration Amendment Bill and the Transport licensing (Commercial Aircraft Services) Bill were put through the remaining stages and passed. The Council rose at 4.45.