EMERGENCY POWERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21160, 18 April 1932, Page 10

EMERGENCY POWERS.

PREPARATION OF BILL.

TO BE PASSED* TO-MORROW.

ADDITIONAL AUTHORITY. MEETINGS OF THE CABINET. [by tei.egrAnr.—speciat, reporter. *] WELT,ING TON, Saturday. Emergency legislation to strengthen the hands of the authorities in dealing with a civil commotion of Ihe nature of that occurring in Auckland will be introduced by the Government on Tuesday afternoon and will be put through as a question of urgency at one sitting. In making that announcement when the Cabinet rose this evening, the Prime Minister, the lit. Hon. G. W. Forbes, said the Government desired to secure adequate authority to back the forces of law and order in meeting a situation which had not previously been encountered in Now Zealand. He was unable at that juncture to indicate the contents of the bill that would be introduced, as investigations had not yet been completed regarding the amplified powers that would be necessary. Tho Cabinet would further consider the matter on Monday.

Ho thought only a short bill would be required and it should bo ready for presentation as soon as Parliament reassembled on Tuesday after the week-end recess. No difficulty was anticipated in securing the passage of tho measure with a minimum of delay, for tho legislation would bo of such a nature, which, it was to bo expected, would be readily endorsed by all sections in the House.

The Cabinet held two meetings to-day and although tho happenings at Auckland wero not the subject of exclusive deliberation, tho question was discussed at both sittings and tho law draftsman consulted.

Mr. Forbes gave an assurance that, complete plans had been prepared for meeting any emergency that might anso in Auckland or in any other centre. He added, however, that he did not anticipate that tho trouble would spread.

Mr. Forbes said there was no present intention on tlio Government's part <o veto the holding of processions or meetings by unemployed, as local bodies had power to deal with that question and would naturally be guided by local circumstances.

He said Mr. D. G. Sullivan, M.P., the Mayor of Christchurch, had assured him that all the necessary steps had hern taken to maintain law and order in that city. Mr. Sullivan had assured him that the possibility of an outbreak during the week-end was remote.

CONCERN IN ENGLAND.

SERIOUSNESS OF POSITION.

GOVERNMENT'S EFFORT PRAISED

LONDON, April 15

The Manchester Guardian, in an editorial article, says:—"The riots in New Zealand are disturbing. They have reminded us of the poverty and hardship brought about by the economic crisis. "The conditions unquestionably must be serious to lead to such a display of violence in a country no less law-abiding than our own. The New Zealand Government has tried heroically to balance its Budget, but it cannot by itself alter the world depression. New Zealand, like every other country, is suffering from Europe's crazy post-war economics."

LAW TO BE OBSERVED.

RESOLUTION AT WHANGAREI. [FROM OUR mv«( CORRESPONDENT. ] WHANGAREI, Saturday. A largely-attended meeting of the Whangarei Unemployed Association was held in the Friendly Societies' Hall this afternoon, the president, Mr. J. 1L Brown, presiding. A resolution was carried unanimously that the association would not resort to any methods contrary to law and order, but that in the event of trouble commencing from any other source, the members of the association will not be available for duty as special constables.