New Bill Provides For Continuation Of Stabilisation

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26915, 29 October 1948, Page 5

New Bill Provides For Continuation Of Stabilisation

P.A. WELLINGTON, Oct. 28. The establishment of an economic stabilisation commission and the continuation of stabilisation in New Zealand is provided for in the Economic Stabilisation Bill which was introduced and read a first time in the House of Representatives to-night. The Minister of Industries and Commerce, Mr Nordrqeyer, said tha Bill contained clauses lifted from regulations which had been in operation for six years. The principle of stabilisation, he added, was approved by all sections of the community, including the Opposition.

The commission is to consist of such persons (not exceeding si?s in number) as the Minister of Industries and Commerce from time to time appoints to be members. The powers of the commission shall not be affected by any vacancy in membership. The commission shall be deemed to be a commission of inquiry. There shall be appointed, as an officer of the public service, a director of stabilisation. The section dealing with the functions of the Minister stales that he shall be charged with the general function of doing all things that he deems necessary or expedient for the general purpose of the Bill, and in particular for stabilisation control and the adjustment of prices of goods and services, rents, others cost=. and rates of wages, salaries and other incomes. There is power in the Bill for the Governor-General by Order-in-Council to make regulations for giving effect to the provisions of the Bill for regulating the marketing of any goods or classes of goods for the general pur-po-e of the Bui pnd for equalising as far as possible the net returns received or payable in respect of goods by imposing- levies, and for the recovery of subsidies paid out of public moneys in respect of goods or classes of goods. A schedule to the Bill lists a number of emergency regulations which are to continue in force as stabilisation regulations. These include the Rates of Wages Emergency Regulations, 1940, and amendments; the Hides Emergency Regulations, 1940 (No. 2); the Pickled Sheep and Lamb Pelt Emergency Regulations, 1947; and the Sheepskin Emergency Regulations, 1947. The Bill contains authority for the inspection of documents, and inquiries and investigations for the purpose of the Bill or of any stabilisation regulations.