PUBLIC SAFETY CONSERVATION

Northern Advocate, 18 April 1933, Page 9

PUBLIC SAFETY CONSERVATION

LABOUR UJMTK’JSUS ACT. ‘ ‘ OXE 11EDE EM IX (: FE ATVR E. ’' (Special to “Nor;hern Advocate.”) AUCKLAND, This Day. Only one redeeming feature —that ts powers could be invoked by a Labour Government for taking over banks and other institutions in a national rehabilitation 'scheme in a period of emergency —was found in the'Public Safety Con servation Act, In the report of the Parliamentary Labour Party, presented the Dominion Conference yesterday. The report gave the. history of the Act, arising out of the outbreak el rioting a year ago, and went on that >i its clauses the Government tonic power to declare a state of emergency throughout New Zealand and to exercise exceptional powers. Provision was made to protect both the Government and its officials against claims arising out of illegal acts by them, nr for damage done in the administration of the Act,

“The bill also materially altered the rules of evidence, giving the courtpower to admit evidence that would not be admissible in ordinary criminal trials. The bill was challenged at every stage by the Labour Party, divisions being forced on the message, second reading and various clauses. In each division the Labour members voted alone and the bill became law.”