POULTRY BILL DELAYED

Taranaki Daily News, 11 March 1933, Page 7

POULTRY BILL DELAYED

COUNCIL REFUSES PASSAGE INDUSTRY’S OPINION TO BE HEARD. LOWER HOUSE REPORT RECALLED. URGENCY .THOUGHT UNJUSTIFIED; By Telegraph—Press Association. : • Wellington, March 10. The: Poultry Amendment Bill was noi passed by the Legislative Council to-day, the ''debate being adjourned to give, the Council an opportunity of hearing the evidence of those connected with the industry. Moving the second reading of the Bill, the Hon. R. Masters, Minister of Industries ■ and Commerce, said the measure was desired by the poultry people, who wished to place the -industry oh a better footing.. The Bill ■ followed. the lines of legislation now affecting , the dairy,, meat and honey industries.-- - . ■ ■ ■ Sir Francis Bell: “Tell us why the Bill is urgent.” '■ • ’ ' ' Mr.. Masters' the poultry industry, was anxious to organise in order to bring about a greater return for the products. The Horil J._ A. Hanan said the Council should have an opportunity to investigate the -Bill. At a time when the country was being agitated by big problems, the Council would not be justified' in passing the Bill as a matter' of urgency without hearing evidence. It seemed that the measure was another attempt at' centralised and bureaucratic government,and . that Parliament was delegating more powers to outside boards. .Because the House had passed the Bill there was' no reason why the Council "should simply become a registering machine. .

- The Hon. C. J. Carrington said that after the passage of a similar Bill in Canada the. poultry..industry had received enormous benefits, and Canada had become an exporter of eggs instead of an importer. ■ Sir Francis Bell moved an adjournment of the debate on the grounds that the Council should have an opportunity of hearing the evidence of those connected with the industry.. Evidence had been taken by the committee of the House, and it* had presented an unfavourable report; ! In view of that fact it was only reasonable- that the council should have an opportunity of hearing the evidence which had convinced the House committeemen. ‘

Mr. Masters said the poultry people desired the passage -of the Bill during the present session in order that they could take advantage of the next year’s export season, and it was not right that they should be debarred at a time like the present from organising the industry to the best advantage. Sir Francis’ motion was carried by seven votes‘to five, thereby preventing the passage of the Bill this session. The division list was:—

For the motion: Bell, Hannan, Mclntyre, Snodgrass, Stevenson, Trevithick, Collin*; . 'v ' ''

Against:. Carrington, Fagan, Smith, Masters, Buddo.