FAR-REACHING POWERS

Southland Times, Issue 23946, 12 October 1939, Page 4

FAR-REACHING POWERS

Recent Government

Measures

STRONG RESISTANCE BY OPPOSITION

“PEOPLE MUST BE MORE

VIGILANT”

“Some of the people may be wondering, seeing that the Opposition has offered the Government full co-opera-tion durin; the war, why it so strenuously opposed some of the measures brought forward by the Government, especially during the latter days of the session,” said the Leader of the Opposition (the Hon. Adam Hamilton), in a statement yesterday. “The members of the National Party will play their full part in war efforts in whatever capacity they may be called upon to serve,” he said. “In its task of running the country at war the Government continues to have the full co-operation of the Opposition, co-operation that was freely offered by the Opposition and accepted by the Government from the period immediately before war was formally declared.”

However, the extensive overlapping in recent political developments in the House of Representatives of what might be termed ordinary party legislation, much of it of a major and farreaching character, and war emergency legislation, made it imperative and desirable that he should make a clear statement on behalf of the Opposition to the people of the Dominion. “ROAD TO SOCIALISM” Extraordinary and far-reaching powers had been taken by the Government with such measures as the Reserve Bank Amendment Act, the taxing Acts and the Marketing Amendment Act. Such extreme steps along the road to socialism in this Dominion could not go unchallenged. None of those measures could be justified as war emergency measures and in the opinion of the Opposition their effects would be most injurious and damaging —they had all the possibilities of undermining the Dominion’s entire economic and social structure.

“None can deny that these measures were not free from either the fact or the suspicion that the Government was exploiting the situation to further its own ideas of socialization,” said Mr Hamilton. “None can deny either that they were introduced without the. full co-operation and approval of business and producing interests, and without recognition of the full experience and knowledge of those interests. “In the House on these occasions we fought every inch of the way and I was proud of our team during the prolonged resistance put up against these proposals as they were forced hurriedly through Parliament in the dying stages of an extraordinary session. Throughout all-night sittings a magnificent resistance was maintained and members of my team—and I would particularly mention the new members .who st: ongthened the attack —fought vigorously and effectively. EXCESSIVE POWERS “It now remains to be seen how the Government will administer the momentous legislation it has placed upon the Statute Book. Greediness for power is a fatal sin, and in these measures it appears clear that powers have been taken far in excess of needs. The task of the Opposition remains, and has actually been made more serious and urgent by this attitude. No stone must be left unturned in our efforts to restore ‘sound government in this country for all sections of our people.” At present Opposition members in the House were clearly outnumbered by Government followers. Such was the electors’ choice. The far-reaching and serious consequences of the legislation just passed, together with recent regulations and instructions placed on all classes of trade and industry, should cause electors to weigh up the seriousness of their duty when selecting their parliamentary representatives. As to the war work, he knew that the people needed no urging for them to play their full part cheerfully in carrying the Dominion through this hour of trial and danger. To this extent the Government had the unreserved co-operation of everyone, supporter and opponent alike. “It cannot be made too clear, however, that the co-operation of the Opposition does not extend into the normal political field,” added Mr Ha., ilton. “Legislative developments of the last week have shown that our people must be more than ever vigilant. One gratifying feature is that Parliament should adjourn, and not close down. For Parliament to be on.call is sensible and desirable. Healthy criticism and correction provides a reasonable check on inefficiency and a safe ventilation of sectional grievances.’