WAR REGULATIONS

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160737, 25 August 1920, Page 3

WAR REGULATIONS

PROPOSED CONTINUANCE. DISCUSSED BY PARLIAMENT. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, August 24. In the House this evening, en a motion tp go into committee on the War Regulations Continuance/ Bill, Mr McCombs protested that there was no evidence to show that the proposed provisions had been properly consider - ' ed. The Bill also imposed unnecessary restrictions on personal freedom. Trial by jury could still be dispensed with in cases of persons charged with offences under this measure, ’The Premier had failed to give the House and the country any reason why war regulations should continue, Mr Holland urged that the provisions of the measure could have been embodied in a new measure pot bearing reference to war. He objected strongly to the right of trial by jury b.eipg taken from any man. The extraordinary powers conferred by regulations during the war were abused, and many men, even of British nationality, and their dependents, had suffered hardships as a result. Mr Holland declared that the object of the measure was to apply the provisions of the war-time regulations to industrial disputes. He asked why employers were not charged with conspiracy under regulations in refusing to allow coal tq be unloaded to relieve the distress of women and children suffering from lack of coal ? Why did not the Government frame its new legislation to meet new conditions and give the workers an opportunity of taking part in regulating the conditions under which they had to work? If the measure was enacted, and if it was administered as the regulations are being administered to-day, it would not tend to bring about industrial peace. Therefore, Labour members, representing one-third of organised Labour in New Zealand, declared that if the measure was enacted Parliament would be hastening the country to disaster. Mr Sullivan protested, in the name of the rights and privileges of the people, against continuance of the restrictive regulations which were enacted to deal with conditions arising out of the war, which ended nearly two years ago. He referred to the disabilities imposed on many people through continuance of the passport system, and declared that there was no justification for the regulations it was now proCid to perpetuate. No Government a right in peace time to take away from the w r orkers the right to strike. Mr Howard said the Bill hit the workers, and it hit others as well. He quoted the section dealing with the regulation of shipping, which he declared might be put into operation against shipping and other rings. If there were any points in the Bill required in peace time they should be embodied in a new measure instead of continuing these regulations. Mr Hanan, as a member of the National Government, justified the regulations enacted to deal with conditions arising from the war, but they might be fraught with danger in peace time. Ho pointed to the fact that Parliament was losing control of certain public departments such as railways and post office, whoso employees fixed wages and conditions without the House being consulted. He did not believe the present unrest marked the whole of the new troubles arising out of tbe war. History showed that after former wars people had to fight for bettor conditions. A conference between the employers and employees of the country should be convened to study difficulties and evolve a solution. Mr Lysnar said he regarded the statements made by the member for Buller as a threat that if this measure was enacted further labour troubles would follow. Many employers were in full sympathy with the legitimate desires of Labour, but the latter’s extremist leaders were responsible, through their irritating disloyal agitations, for a great part of the present day unrest. Mr Savage said the House should object to handing over its functions to the Governor-in-Council. Mr Wright said it must be admitted the measure was drastic, but circumstances at times required drastic remedies. In connection with the present industrial trouble in Wellington, a mistake had been made, but he contended the workers were wrong in not submitting the case to the Disputes Committee. Mr Wright said it was curious to notice that New .Zealand was suffering from a series of strikes, which suggested that there was some sinister influence at the back of them. More unrest prevailed now than during the war, and the cost of living was higher, therefore something drastic was necessary to put an end to such a condition of affairs. Mr Parry protested against continuation of war regulations. He pleaded for a national scheme of organisation of employers and employees, which would tend to th e improvement of industrial relations. Mr Veitch said that while the regulations were necessary during the war, it was wrong in principle to continue such stringent laws to-day, which were causing people to lose confidence in constitutional Government. Mr Veitch asked the Premier to say how it was the country was faced today with such a coal crisis ? Why had nothing been done to carry out the recommendations of the Coal Commission? New Zealand could not now depend on Australia for coal, and did not at present produce enough herself. As Mr Veitch was concluding, the Premie said that if the House desired it, he was willing to drop the Bill. Mr Veitch, however, said he was not concerned whether the Premier did that or not. His duty was to express what he thought on this subject. Messrs Bartram and Fraser carried the debate on till 10.35, when Sir Wm. Herries moved. the adjournment, and the House rose.