PARLIAMENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23369, 8 December 1937, Page 10

PARLIAMENT

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DEBATE ON PRODUCE CONTROL (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, Dec. 7. When the Legislative Council met this afternoon the Mortgagors and Lessees Rehabilitation Amendment Bill was put through all stages and passed. Mr C. J. Carrington gave notice that he would ask the ••o>'sr.iment whether it was aware that Mi C. G. Scrimgeour, director of commercial broadcasting, had in the course of a broadcast address advised listeners to read the book "The Martyrdom of Man," which scoffed at and attacked Christianity, and the author of which had stated he would attempt to show that the destruction of Christianity was essential to the interests of civilisation; and whether now that the nature of the book was known the Government would remove the broadcasting ban against clergymen who wished to protect Christianity against attacks. The Marketing Bill The Primary Products Marketing Amendment Bill met with considerable opposition. The Leader of the Council (Mr M. Fagan), moving the second reading, said that the Bill would complete the task undertaken when the guaranteed price was established and would enable the local market for primary products to be controlled. It was not the intention of the Government to become a buyer and seller on a large scale, but the powers taken would be valuable in the event of any national emergency. All that was proposed at present was the distribution of products with the least possible cost or disturbance. Mr J. Alexander said the Bill was one more milestone on the road to Communism and one more gravestone to the liberty of the subject. It reminded him of a person who approached another quietly but with the intention of beating the other unconscious. Mr B. C. Robbins made a vigorous defence of the measure and said that if it were leading towards Socialism it was a good thing. He hoped to see the time when what the people produced would belong to the people. A Blow to Liberty Mr Carrington said the Bill was a " sugarcoating" for Communism but it seemed futile to protest. He urged all who valued personal liberty to vote against the measure. Mr J. Cotter supported the Bill and said while there was a lot of talk about Communism the Minister of Marketing (Mr Nash) was applying Christian principles to the law of the land. Mr H. A. Russell said he did not question the Christian principles of the Minister, but no man could be a Minister for always. He considered that private enterprise could show Christian principles as well as the Government. Mr E. R. Davis said the Bill would lead to higher prices and to a marketing dictatorship. Mr W. W. Snodgrass said he opposed the Bill because it interfered with the rights of the individual. Mr W. Perry also opposed the Bill because it interfered with private enterprise which, he said, created the incentive to work, to plan, to think, and brought out the best in the individual and the nation. Sir R. Heaton Rhodes said the Bill was one more nail in the coffin of private enterprise. The Bill Defended Mr Fagan, replying to the debate, said there was no relation between the Bill and the doctrines of Communism. The proposals of the Bill had been in operation in Wellington for 11 months and nothing dreadful had happened. The intention of the Minister of Marketing was to encourage the efficient trader and bring the inefficient one up to a state of efficiency. The second reading was carried by 18 votes to 11. When the council in committee reached clause six, which gives power for the fixing of prices and makes conditions for the sale of foodstuffs. Sir R. Heaton Rhodes moved an amendment to make the clause inoperative for trade between two primary producers. An Important Statement Mr Fagan said he would not accept the amendment because it was quite unnecessary. The Government did not intend to apply the powers it was taking to any industry unless those engaged in that industry asked to be covered by the Act. Sir James Allen said that was an important statement, and he asked if it would be put on record. Mr Fagan said he would place it on record when the third reading was reached. The amendment was rejected by 19 votes to 10 and the clause was adopted by 18 votes to 10. When the third reading was taken Mr Fagan repeated the statement he had made in committee and the third reading was taken without protest. The Bill was passed and the Council adjourned at 10 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES (From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, Dec. 7. Consideration of the supplementary Estimates occupied the whole of to-day's sitting of the House of Representatives. The last of the Estimates were passed about 0.30 a.m. and an Appropriation Bill, which authorises the expenditure outlined in the whole of the Estimates, was introduced and passed within a quarter of an hour. Just before the adjournment the State Advances Corporation Amendment Bill, which extends the income limit for housing loans from the corporation was introduced. The House rose at 1 a.m.