SOIL CONSERVATION, RIVER CONTROL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 221, 19 September 1941, Page 6

SOIL CONSERVATION, RIVER CONTROL

BILL PASSES HOUSE OPPOSITION MEMBER VOTES WITH GOVERNMENT AMENDMENTS REJECTED »P.A.) Parliament Bldgs.. Sept. 18. The Soil Conservation and River Control Bill, after passing the committee stages to-night, v. as finally -cad a third time and passed. Discusdon of the Short Title was begun by he House in Committee this after--10011. Mr. W. J. Polson (Opp.. Stratford* said he did not w ant it to be thought that he was opposing a measure that should be in the interests of the country, but he would point out that the Bill could not be brought into operation without causing hardship. Erosion was taking place to an alarming extent throughout the country, but there had been no survey to say how many thousands of acres should be put back into trees. Under the Bill there would be right to replant in bush—bush which settlers had spent their lives in clearing.

Mr. F. L. Frost (Govt.. New Plymouth) said the question of sea erosion would also have to be tackled. It would not be long before additions to the present measure, or another Bill, would be introduced.

Mr. J. N. Massey (Opp.. Franklin), referring to the clause giving the board power to make rates, said increased taxation on land would mean that millions of acres would go oui of occupation. He regretted that the Bill did not give more consideration to land drainage. Mr. C M. Williams (Govt., Kaiapoi) expressed appreciation of the clause providing for the amalgamation of river districts, and the elimination of unnecessary and incompetent river control authorities. The Bill made provision for a competent council of engineers to amalgamate river boards and eliminate inefficient boards. The Minister of Public Works. Hon. H. T. Armstrong, dealing with the constitution of the council, said he wished to make it quite clear that local bodies would have the right to nominate who they wanted to represent them on the council. There would be on the council two members representing local body interests, river boards, and drainage boards, and one representing agricultural and pastoral interests. These members would actually be appointed by the Minister, but when local bodies were asked to recommend someone he would be appointed unless there were some extraordinarily important reason for not appointing him. The Minister of Railways. Hon. R. Semple, said he wanted to see the problem of river erosion tackled in our time, and in view of investigations that had already been made, nothing was to be gained from shelving or deferring the Bill. He hoped the Minister of Public Works would stick his toes in and go on with the measure.

Mr. D. C. Kidd (Opp.. Waitaki) advocated greater local body representation on the council, and agreed that farming interests should also be represented. He suggested that instead of setting up another rating authority, the Government, or people, should find the money to put the scheme into operation. Mr. J. O'Brien (Govt.. Westland), who is chairman of the committee which brought down the Bill, said he considered there was nothing to be gained from increasing the size of the council. By keeping it down to a small number of selected individuals they would get the job done efficiently-

The short title and Clause 2 were passed when the House adjourned at 5.30 p.m. Continuing discussion, when the House resumed at 7.30 p.m., on Clause 3. Mr. J. N. Massey <Opp., Franklin) said that this clause, which provides for the setting up of a Rivers’ Control Council, was the most contentious clause in the measure. If the Government agreed to increase the local body and farmers' representation or. the council to four instead of three, the Opposition would lx* satisfied and would not contest it. He moved an amendment that the local body representatives on the council be increased from two to three. The Prime Minister. Rt. Hon. F. Fraser, on a point of order said that such a* increase would affect the prerogatives of the Crown, in that, such an increase would create additional expense. The Chairman of Committees. Mr. McKeen, agreed with the Prime Minister’s contention, and ruled the amendment out of order.

Mr. Massey thereupon moved a further amendment to the effect that the Public Works Department representation on the council be reduced from two to one. thereby providing a total council of five instead of six.

On a division this amendment was lost by 38 votes to 18. Mr. H. S. S. Kyle (Opp.. Riccarton) voting with the Government members. His action was greeted with cheers from the lobby, and on his return to the House Mr. Kyle was publicly congratulated, to the amusement of the House, by Mr. A. S. Richards (Roskill), Junior Government Whip. Clause three was passed without further discussion and rapid progress was made until part five, which deals with rating, was reached. Mr. Polson said the administration rate would be chargeable against the ordinary landowner and not against the Crown or native owners. In some areas the bulk of the land might escape a rate and the burden would be unduly heavy on the remainder. Mr. W. J. O’Brien (Govt., Westland) said the question raised had been given careful consideration by a select committee which examined the Bill, but it was held that as the Crown would provide the greater part of the funds for improvement works, it would not be fair to ask for administrative rates as well.

The whole of the 169 clauses of the Bill were put through the committee by 10 p.m. The Bill was then read a third time and passed, and the Hous? rose until 10.30 a.m. to-morrow.