CONSULTATIONS FAVOURED

Southland Times, Issue 23922, 14 September 1939, Page 6

CONSULTATIONS FAVOURED

Use Of Emergency Regulations

FACTORY ACTIVITIES TO BE CONTROLLED PRODUCTION OF ESSENTIAL GOODS (From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, September 13. An assurance that manufacturers and employers, as well as organizations of workers, would be consulted before action was taken under the Emergency •Regulations Bill was given by the acting Prime Minister (the Hon. P. Fraser) in the House of Representatives this afternoon in response to questions asked by Mr W. A. Bodkin (Nat., Central Otago). Mr Bodkin said that some indication should be given to the House of what was meant by “promoting the development of the standardization, simplication and certification of commodities, processes and practices.” Regulations would be coming down for this purpose and it was timely that manufacturers should be told what they might expect and what would be required of them. . Mr Fraser: Ample opportunity will be taken of discussing the situation with the manufacturers before anything is done.

In reply to another question Mr Fraser said that the regulations would give the Government power to suspend or vary industrial awards, but that also would only be done after consultation with the parties concerned. The Minister of Industries and Commerce (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan) explained that the activities of factories would come under the controller It might be necessary to eliminate from production certain lines and types that were superfluous in a state of war This would enable energy to be concentrated on the production of essentials and would also make it possible for industry to operate with the best results. The intention was that as far as .was reasonable and practicable the Ministry of Supply would consult industries, which would be fully informed of what was going on. The Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates (Nat., Kaipara) said that he took comfort from Mr Sullivan’s assurance that the Government’s policy would be one of co-operation with all sections of the community who were giving service. He fervently believed that that was the only possible policy to achieve success and he was sure that all were ready and willing to help so long as they were given a lead as to what was required of them.

WOOL REQUIREMENTS OF JAPAN EARMARKING OF SUPPLIES IN AUSTRALIA EXPECTED (Received September 13, 7.30 p.m.) TOKYO, September 12. Referring to the sale of Australia’s wool clip to Britain a high Government official declared: “We anticipate that the Commonwealth will arrange to earmark our supplies in view of Australia’s friendly attitude to Japan and also because in the present circumstances our requirements are comparatively small.”

CANADA WITHDRAWS FROM OLYMPIC GAMES

OTTAWA, September 12. Canada has withdrawn from the Olympic Games.