ACTION JUSTIFIED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22543, 7 October 1936, Page 15

ACTION JUSTIFIED

" TIME LONG OVERDUE " COMPENSATION ISSUE HON. H. G. R. MASON'S OPINION [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Tuesday The opinion that the Industrial Efficiency Bill contemplated the payment of compensation in cases where an industry was adversely affected bv any rationalisation plan was expressed by the Attorney-General, the Hon. H. G. B. Mason, during the second reading debate on the bill in the House to-day. Mr. Mason said he thought that those who received benefits as a result of the operation of the bill would be quite willing that any funds obtained by way of levy should be used in part to indemnify those who suffered any detriment. "The purpose of this bill is not to prevent anyone making undue profits —another bill has been passed for that purpose—but to introduce order into industry," said the Minister. "The member for Awarua talks of the_glories of competition, but unrestricted competition has not proved the salvation of industry. The results of'unrestricted competition are far from being so glorious as the member for Awarua suggests. "To resist the bill is to plead for waste and extravagance," Mr. Mason continued. "The time for the introduction of a bill of this sort is long overdue. If there are any deficiencies in this bill 1 hope that we shall have the help of the members of the Opposition in showing where it can be improved, instead of that glorification of confusion to which their statements amount. We can no longer have waste and confusion in industry. The job has to bo tackled and a postponement will not make it any easier."