Changes in Bill.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20454, 6 November 1934, Page 6

Changes in Bill.

Powers of Agriculture Commission . (“ Star ” Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, November 3. YO DECISION has yet been reached by - ' Cabinet concerning the changes which are to be made in the Agriculture (Emergency Powers) Bill, which will be dealt with by the House on Wednesday or, possibly, Thursday. Two lengthy meetings of members of the Ministry were held to-day, and there the flood of protests which have been pouring in on the Government were discussed; but while there was general agreement that there should be some limitation of the wide powers proposed to be invested in the Executive Commission of Agriculture, finality was not reached on the question as to what degree of power should be given to this body, and as to what industries other than dairying should be put under its control. The Prime Minister, Mr Forbes, was not prepared to go into details when discussing the subject last night, but he did admit that there would be amendments. He also announced, in reply to questions, that the amended proposals would be placed before a caucus of the Coalition before the Bill is dealt with again by the House. More than ever before the widespread protests are having an influence with both Ministers and the rank and file of the Coalition, and a further disconcerting feature is the fact that duplicates of many of these protests are being received by the Opposition, adding to the embarrassment of the Government by indicating that many Government supporters are among ardent objectors of the measure as it now stands.