WAIKATO WATER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21640, 4 November 1933, Page 13

WAIKATO WATER

BILL INTRODUCED

UNFAVOURABLE RECEPTION

STRONG LABOUR OPPOSITION

"A REACTIONARY MEASURE"

[BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON. Friclny

If the reception of the Waikato Water Supply Company, Limited, Empowering Bill, when it was first introduced in the House of Representatives this morning, is any indication of what will happen later on, its chances are nil. The first mention of it by its sponsor, Mr. 11. G. R. Mason (Labour — Auckland Suburbs) found several of his fellow Labour members from Auckland eager to accept the gage of battle and anxiously inquiring when they would have tho first opportunity of attacking it.

As tho bill contains provisions affecting the rights and prerogatives of the Crown, it was introduced by GovernorGeneral's Message. The Minister of Finance, Mr. Coates, who was in charge of the House, explaine4 that this in no way signified the Gorernment's approval of the contents of the bill, which would be open for consideration by the youse later. Promoters ol the Company

The bill, which is a document of 72 clauses, names as promoters of the company, Frederick Charles Buddlei Auckland, accountant; William Goodfellow, Auckland, companj' and Walter Xelson Gray, Auckland, broker.

Mr. Mason introduced the bill by a petition from the promoters. A petition in opposition from the Auckland. City Council was presented by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. M. J. Savage, to the clerk of private bills, and will be presented to the House prior to the second reading. "I would like to have some knowledge of when we can have a real battle on this," said Mr. Savage. "We are not going to be taken back to the mid-Victorian era without a real battle."

Mr. H. Atmore (Independent—Nelson): What is the principle? Mr. Savage: The principle is that the water supply of the suburban area of Auckland is to be taken over from municipal control and handed to a private corporation. We are entitled to wonder whether we are living in the 20th century or not. I am going to assure the hon. gentleman in charge of the bill that this is going to be a battle with the gloves off and no sentiment in it. Members: Hear, hear. "Cuckoo in Sparrow's Nest"

Mr. J. A. Lee (Labour —Grey Lynn): I would like to know whether the mover approves of the principle of the bill or whether he is sponsoring it because they could not get anyone else to father it. It is a shining cuckoo in a hedge-spar-row's nest. Also, I would like to know if he intends to hand the Auckland transport system, of which he is a board member, to private enterprise, too. I want to assure him that it is not only going to be a fight with tho gloves off, but rt is going to be a fight— Mr. F. Jones (Labour —Dunedin South): With knuckledusters. Continuing, Mr. Lee said he had been led to believe that this bill was the worst form of American politics—tho bartering of the rights of the people to a few individuals who wanted to make a profit out of it. He was given to believe that the people who were promoting the bill had a substantial interest in a milk-vending concern. "It looks very suspicious, indeed," said Mr. Lee, "when people who sell the milk want to corner the water supply,'' (Laughter.) ' "I can assure the hon. gentleman in charge of the hill that it is going to he fought to a finish," said Mr. F. W. Schramm (Labour —Auckland East). "I personally know something of the propaganda that has been going on for the purpose of getting it through. The ones in charge have control of the milk and now they want tho water from the Waikato.

Mr. H. G. Dickie (Government — Patea): What about the coal? Opposition in Auckland

Mr. Schramm said that the Government would soon have to bring in a bill asking these people for certain privileges, because they would soon control the whole of New Zealand. Members of the House would have to bo very careful what they did. The people of Auckland and the Auckland City Council were absolutely opposed to the bill, and he could assure Mr. Mason that it would have a very stormy passage indeed. "I can also compliment the gentleman who is sponsoring this particular company on having the foresight and cunning to select the member for Auckland Suburbs to support this bill," said Mr. Schramm. "The Labour Party does not support it. I want to ask the lion, member does he stand for a monopoly of the water supply or against a monopoly of the water supply. Mr. A. J. Stallworthy (Independent —Eden) said he was preserving an open mind until he had seen the bill. He thought the promoter had been rather astute in getting a member of the Labour Party to sponsor the bill, but that would not prejudice his mind. He knew from a report that the promoters of the new water scheme proposed to have a reservoir on one of the hills at Tnakau so that all the water would have to go to Tuakau. A Member: To a cow. (Laughter.) Matter of Great Importance Mr. Stallworthy said he did not wish the House to prejudice a matter of tremendous importance, not only to Auckland city, but to Greater Auckland. There was a large section of people in the Auckland metropolitan area who felt that they had not had a fair spin in relation to the water supplv, both with regard to its cost and its quality. There was a considerable body of opinion in Mount Eden and Mount Albert, and they had actuallj' carried resolutions in support of the provisions of this bill. In replying to the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Mason explained that tho procedure with a bill of this sort was different from ordinary procedure. In a little while he would have a chance of presenting his petition. There would be a committee set up and its proceedings would bo of u judicial character. Since they had that committee to hoar evidence, it was not proper to prejudice the case or to go into its merits or demerits at that stage. Those who were bringing this forward Would be cajled upon to make good their case and objectors would be called upon to make good their case. This was not the first time he had had to do with the initiation of a water scheme, and it had been his experience that invariably vendors of milk wore most clamorous in their demands for a supply of better watei. Mr. Savage thanked Mr. Mason for reminding him of tho judicial nature of the proceedings. This was a House of Representatives and he knew what was going on perfectly well. ' I want to lose no time in starting to light a reactionary measure," he said, and if I can stick it up at any stage of the game, I am going to do it." The bill was introduced, read a first time and referred to the Lands Committee.