M.P.s Overhauling War Regulations

Northern Advocate, 13 January 1948, Page 4

M.P.s Overhauling War Regulations

WELLINGTON, Tue. (Sp.)—Four of the select committees of the House of Representatives have been allocated work for the recess, and the first to hold sittings will be the committee appointed to overhaul the War Emergency Regulations. It will meet on February 4. Hundreds of regulations were brought into force during the war, and a departmental committee with the At-torney-General (Mr Mason) looked into the position last recess, and as a result, about 80 were abolished, though the number left in operation was so large that the Opposition staged an effective protest, the Government after a long discussion agreeing to refer to a select committee in the recess the whole of the remaining regulations, so that the House can deal with them early next session. ANNUAL REVIEW Post-war conditions are so difficult that many of the regulations will have to remain in force, but it is likely that Parliament will adopt the system of reviewing them each year, extending the. life of those deemed necessary under the conditions of the moment. Nearly five pages of the recent Emergency Regulations Continuance Act ai-e required to enumerate those which are still in force. Parliament will now have more direct control over the position, as the departmental review is being superseded by the investigation of a committee of members of the House representing both political parties.