“DICTATOR STATE”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26771, 14 May 1948, Page 6

“DICTATOR STATE”

GOVERNMENT ACCUSED SUPPLY REGULATIONS BILL P.A. WESTPORT, May 13. A charge that under the Supply Regulations Bill introduced in Parliament last session the Government had sought provisions which would lead to the establishment of a dictator State in New Zealand was made by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Holland, in a public address to-night. Quoting from a copy of the original Bill, Mr Holland said that it was a clear warning of the meaning of ultimate Socialism. During the war people had made many sacrifices of rights and privileges' to help towards victory. In the Supply Regulations Bill the Government had set out its views of the minimum requirements of i Socialist Administration in peacetime.

The powers originally sought under the Bill would have allowed the Government to take over any property, business, shop, factory or professional practice. Any land, building or motor car could have been taken over without notice and without the right of appeal. Banks, dairy companies, stock and station agents, freezing works, insurance companies, building societies, shipping lines and newspapers could have been taken over.

There were no limitations to the proposed powers. No consultation with Parliament was -provided for. It was a complete Soviet State. In another clause the Government had proposed taking powers for entering and searching any premises. The Bill had expressly provided that no action should lie against any officer or Minister for damage or injury done *in the course of such a search. Thus, the Government could break into a person’s premises but he himself would have to pay for the repairs. Another clause allowed the Government to suspend the operation of any law, or apply it with or without modification. This was the very negation of democracy. The Bill also provided that offenders against any supply regulation would be liable to such punishment as was prescribed by the regulations. This gave the Government power to alter any law and prescribe punishment without consulting Parliament.