PUBLIC SAFETY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21163, 21 April 1932, Page 11

PUBLIC SAFETY.

EMERGENCY BILL PASSED. EARLY MORNING DISCUSSION. LABOUR AGAINST THE MEASURE. [BY TEI.EGnAF!f. —FRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON. Wednesday. The passage through the House of Representatives of the emergency legislation introduced bv the Government yesterday afternoon was completed in the early hours this morning, when the Public Safety Conservation Bill was passed. Speaking during the discussion on the short title, the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, said there would be no attempt to prevent members of the Labour Party addressing meetings so long as the speeches did not advocate violence. He did not think the rights of the Opposition to criticise should bo curtailed. There would be no attempt to prevent the Labour Party holding meetings and passing resolutions calling upon the Government to resign. He hoped no occasion would arise for a declaration of a state of emergency. Replying to a question fiom Mr. P. Fraser (Labour —Wellington Central), tho Hon. J. G. Cobbe, Minister of Justice, said tho age- limit for special constables was 21. The short title was passed on tho voices at 3.5 a.m. The clause providing for the issue of proclamations of emergency was adopted without discussion by 40 votes to 21. Mr. H. G. R. Mason (Labour —Auckland Suburbs) moved to amend the clause relating to the emergency regulations with a view to eliminating the power of the Court to admit such evidence as it thought fit, whether such evidence would be admissible in other cases or not. Mr. Forbes gaid the object of the provision was to enable a wider circle of evidence to be taken. If might be difficult in a mix-up to get tho ordinary evidence which was required. He did not think there was anything to be afraid of, as any person charged would be given the benefit of the doubt. The amendment was defeated by 39 votes to 21, and the clause was passed by a similar vot^. Speaking on the final clause, which gives protection to persons acting under the authority of the Act, Labour members urged that the public should not be subjected to possible consequences of the actions on the part of irresponsible special constables.

Mr. Eorbes said if damage were clone by illegal action there would bo redress. The clause was passed by 39 votes to 21, and the bill reported to the House at 4.50 a.m.

The third reading was carried by 37 votes to 21, and the bill was passed.

BILL IN THE COUNCIL.

MEASURE SOON PASSED.

LESS THAN HOUR'S DISCUSSION

[BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

WELLINGTON, Wednesday

The Legislative Council received the Public Safety Conservation Bill from the House of Representatives this morning. In moving the second reading, the Leader. Sir James Parr, said the bill had been rendered necessary by the Auckland disturbance and by other facts which had come to the knowledgo of tile Govern ment. The Government could not stand still while acts of sabotage went on. The Hon. G. J. Smith (Canterbury) said the measure should be put on the Statute Book at the earliest opportunity. The Hon. G. Witty (Canterbury) said the genuine unemployed had not been responsible for the disturbance. He criticised certain reports, saying they were exaggerated.

The bill was put through all stages in less than three-quarters of an hour and passed.