CONTROL POWERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22412, 7 May 1936, Page 13

CONTROL POWERS

SCOPE OF THE BILL MINISTER EXPLAINS OWNERSHIP OF PRODUCE DAIRY INDUSTRY ONLY [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Wednesday A request that the Government should give a clear indication whether it intended to take over tho marketing of primary products other than dairy produce was made by the Leader of the Opposition, Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, during the committee stages of the Primary Products Marketing Bill in the House of Representatives to-day. "The uncertainty as to whether the marketing of other products is to be taken over is causing a good deal of concern," said Mr. Forbes, "but my opinion is that the Minister of Finance, Hon. W. Nash, will have enough on his hands with dairy produce without bringing in any other branches of primary industry." Mr. Forbes expressed the opinion that the administration of the Department of Marketing which was to be set up under the bill would be a fulltime job. It had been suggested that tho portfolio might go to Mr. Nash, but if he was going to take over both the portfolios of Marketing and Finance, one of the two, probably Marketing, must suffer. An Amendment Suggested Tho Minister of Labour, Hon. H. T. Armstrong: The Rt. Hon. Mr. Coates was the whole Government. Mr. Forbes said that the Department of Marketing when set up was sure to endeavour to extend its influence to other branches of primary production, and that would be resented by the producers. He suggested that the bill should be so amended as to apply only to dairy produce. The Hon. A. Hamilton (Opposition— Wallace) asked whether there was sufficient power in the bill to enable the Minister to take control of any other of the primary industries, or whether that would necessitate the introduction of another bill. It appeared; however, that Part 1 of the bill gave the Minister authority to acquire any primary produce. Mr. Hamilton referred to tho fact that the dairy season closed on July 31, and asked whether the factories would be able to ship any produce sold up to that time. Would the Minister prevent them from carrying out contracts made in that direction, or would they have to get his authority? Mr. Hamilton called attention to tho fact that primary produce was not defined in the bill. A Marketing Problem " This is a marketing problem, not a producing problem," said Mr. Nash. " The farmer cannot do the marketing, lu the past it has been done for him by others extraneous to the industry. He has been the victim of agencies which have not always operated in his iufprpsts Mr. H. S. S. Kyle (Opposition— Riecarton): Don't you think lie will be a victim now? The Minister: No. Those who will do the marketing will be responsible to him. The farmer put the Government in office. Mr. Kyle: He did not. The Minister: It is all balderdash to argue otherwise. Mr. Nash said it was idle to protest against urgency being accorded the bill. The first arrangement had apparently been turned down because the Opposition did not want to hear the Government's case stated over the air once again. Full details of the bill had appeared in all newspapers the morning after its introduction. There had been full consultations with representatives of the dairy industry, and the Government's views were clearly understood. Marketing By Factories Replying to Mr. Hamilton, the Minister said that the provisions of the bill could not be extended to apply to other industries until power was given by Parliament. The Government had power to ship anv kind of produce because that had been contained in Acts passed by the previous Government. Mr. Hamilton: But you cannot assume ownership of meat, wool, etc., without another bill? Mr. Nash: No. In reply to Mr. Hamilton's question concerning the dairy factories, tho Minister said that where products manufactured before August 1 were concerned factories would have all facilities to market, so long as they did not conflict with the Government's policy. Tho Marketing Department would in certain circumstances act as an agent in carrying out contracts on produce manufactured prior to August 1. TAUPIRI DRAINAGE BILL RECLASSIFICATION OF LANDS [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Wednesday Notice of his intention to introduce the Tnupiri Drainage and River Board Empowering Bill was given by Mr. R. Coulter (Government —Waikato) in the House of Representatives to-day. Tho bill provides for a reclassification of all lands in tho Taupiri Drainage and River Board's district and Certain lands' adjacent for the purpose of levying a consolidated special rate. The only grounds upon which any person may appeal against any classification are that it will materially increase the amount of special rates payable in respect of the land of the appellant, and that any land is improperly included within or excluded from the district or subdivision to which the classification relates.