NATIONAL ACTIVITY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVII, Issue 21449, 13 September 1939, Page 8

NATIONAL ACTIVITY

Absolute Power of Control Purpose Of Emergency Bill By Telegraph—Press Association /ELLINGTON, September 12. Wide and absolute power of control over almost all phases of national activity is vested in the Government by the Emergency Regulations Bill which was introduced by GovernorGeneral’s message and read a first time in the House to-night. The Bill also validates the regulations promulgated during the last 10 days under the Public Safety Conservation Act. 1932. Power is gvien to make regulations in the interests of public safety, the defence of New Zealand, the maintenance of public order, for maintaining essential supplies and services and for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the community. Regulations may also be made for any of the following purposes: (1) Providing for the apprehension, trial and punishment of persons offending against the regulations and for the detention of persons where it appears to be expedient in the interests of public safety or the defence of New Zealand. <2» Authorising the taking of possession or control or acquisition of any property and the entering and search of any premises. (3) Providing for the modification or suspension of the operation of any enactment. (4> Prescribing matters in respect of which fees are to be payable under the emergency regulations, the amount of fees and the persons liable to pay them, as well as authorising the refund or remission of any fees payable. (5) Making such provisions as may be deemed necessary for the suppression, restriction or control of enemy trade, and making any provisions considered necessary to deal with enemy property. (6) Providing for the control of prices and for the prevention of profiteering as well as promoting the development of standardisation, simplification and certification in relation to commodities, processes and practices (7) Providing for the protection of debtors and for the regulation and restriction of legal proceedings, powers and remedies. (8) Creating corporate bodies and prescribing their powers and functions. (9) Establishing courts and tribunals and conferring jurisdiction on any court or tribunal whether established under the regulations or otherwise. The emergency regulations will have ultra-territorial operation. They wiff apply to all ships and aircraft in or over New Zealand and to all ships and aircraft registered in New Zealand wherever they may be. They also apply to all persons in the Dominion as well as persons on board New Zealand ships or aircraft, and to persons employed outside New Zealand in New Zealand ships or aircraft. Protectin'! is provided for persons acting undei authority cf the Bill or any regulations made under its power. Breaches of the regulations arc to be punishable on summary conviction by imprisonment for 12 months, a fine of £lOO or both. The Courts are given power to admit any evidence it thinks fit irrespective of whether it would be admissible in other proceedings or n~L The release from custody of any person convicted pending the hearing of an appeal is prohibited except wi';h the consent of the Attorney-General.