WAR MEASURES

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21144, 20 June 1940, Page 9

WAR MEASURES

DEBATE IN HOUSE IMPREST SUPPLY BILL ATTITUDE OF OPPOSITION CHARGES OF COMPLACENCY (By Telegraph.—Special to Times) WELLINGTON, Wednesday The House of Representatives met today to deal with the Imprest Supply Bill, which makes financial provision for administrative expenditure by State departments. A measure of this type offers almost unlimited scope in the selection of subjects for debate, but most of the speakers confined their remarks to questions related to the Dominion’s war effort. Before the opening of the debate, regulations promulgated in accordance with the Emergency Regulations Act and its amendment were tabled, and copies were supplied to members so that they could discuss them if they wished. Urgency was taken for the Bill, not with the object of forcing it through at one sitting, but with a view to sitting beyond the normal hour of adjournment if there were a reasonable prospect of finishing the debate. Reference to Niagara A statement on the war situation was made by the Prime Minister, the Hon. P. Fraser, immediately the House met. He also referred in general terms to the sinking of the Niagara, but was able to give fuller information at the end of the afternoon sitting, when he stated that a mine had been swept up in the locality where the ship went down. The Imprest Supply Bill debate was opened by the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. A. Hamilton, who said that the complacency and self-satisfied attitude of the Government was not conducive to that unity so desirable at the present time. He was followed by the Prime Miinster, who said that one of the first jobs to be undertaken by the War Council was consideration of the War Emergency Regulations. The debate was continued by other speakers, including several Ministers, and the House adjourned at 11.40 p.m., until tomorrow afternoon, when the debafe will be resumed. Indeterminacy Alleged “We have a sort of self-satisfied Government in New Zealand, and while that is so the country lacks unity, determination and willing submission for any necessary sacrifice,” said the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. A. Hamilton. The Government’s attitude, he added, revealed a blind complacency that was most disturbing. Discussing the regulations issued under the Emergency Regulations Act and its amendment, Mr Hamilton said they were empowering only, and no details were given as to the Government’s intentions. Was the Government keeping its intentions secret? “Is the War Council to take the place of Parliament? How long is Parliament to be in session and are the elected representatives to have a voice in things?” asked Mr Hamilton. “It is in the administration of the powers taken that the Government is causing a good deal of uneasiness. Medical Practitioners “The Minister of Health, in referring to the general practitioner scheme under the Social Security Act, said it might be necessary to do things under the war regulations and adopt a certain course that would not be thought likely in ordinary circumstances. That is an abuse of powers. If that does not mean the Government is going to use the war regulations to coerce the doctors, what does it mean?” The Minister of Health, the Hon. H. T. Armstrong: I never said that. Mr Hamilton said there were no soldiers or farmers in the Cabinet that could give the inspiration required. It could not be said that the appointment of Dr. D. G. McMillan to the Cabinet would inspire any enthusiasm for the Dominion’s war effort. The Prime Minister had had a glorious opportunity to appoint a returned soldier or a farmer to the Ministry, but he had failed to grasp it. Partisanship Condemned The Prime Minister, the Hon. P. Fraser, -whose speech followed that of Mr Hamilton, condemned party politics and advocacy of sectional interests at the present time. The Prime Minister was proceeding to deal with equipment for defence when he was “cut off” the air. He said the number of men New Zealand could send from its shores had been conditioned by the difficulties of getting equipment. The Government had no control over ordinary heavy equipment. “At no time has there been complacency. lack of concern or lack of co-operation with Britain,” Mr Fraser said. The Government was repeatedly in consultation -with Britain, and the Leader of the Opposition, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes (Opposition—Hurunui) and the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates (Opposition—Kaipa**a) had been invited to peruse the cablegrams. Volunteer System The Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates (Opposition—Kainara) expressed the opinion that the voluntary system of recruiting and conscription would not work together side by side. Mr Coates asked for a Ministerial explanation as to whether the regulations excluded volunteers for the future. He thought the voluntary system should be retained in connection with the Air Force, however, because conditions there were entirely different from those in the land forces. National Sendee Movement The Attorney-General, the Hon. H. G. R. Mason, said there was no idea on the Government's part of using the Public Safety Regulations to suppress criticism. The publicity of the National Service Movement in Auck- ( land was reviewed by Mr Mason, who

argued that it was unnecessarily combative. No harm was intended or done, but it would not have been prudent or proper for the Government to take a chance of danger developing. Appointment Criticised The appointment of Dr. D. G. McMillan as Minister of Marine was criticised by Mr H. S. S. Kyle (Opposition—Riccarton). Mr Kyle asked why Dr. McMillan had not been appointed to take charge of the portfolio of health. He was qualified to take that portfolio, yet he had been given, among others, the portfolio of marine. The Minister of Lands, the Hon. F. Langstone, described the difficulties facing primary producers owing to the export position. The Minister said the Government was going to take a risk and keep production at a higher peak. All that would be wanted would be shipping to take it away. Mr J. A. Lee’s Objection Mr J. A. Lee (Democratic Labour— Grey Lynn) voiced objection to the inclusion in the War Council of a man who, he said, was a conscientious objector during the last war. Some of the regulations were going to deal with manpower, Mr Lee said. He saw the name of Mr R. Eddy, representing the New Zealand Workers’ Union. Mr Eddy was perfectly sincere and would give a good account of himself, but he was a conscientious objector in the last war. “I tell you it cannot be done,” Mr Lee continued. “He is perfectly sincere, but any person who was a conscientious objector in the last war should not be on the War Council, with power to determine whether anyone else should be conscripted or not. I tell you that conscientiously he cannot keep the position. Pu x him on a committee to deal with labour conditions.” • When I went to Auckland I found the greatest rejoicing because of the step taken,” said Mr C. W. Boswell (Government —Bay of Islands) when referring to the National Service Movement. Mr Boswell said he was fully in accord with the action taken by the Government. Mr R. M. McFarlane (Government —Christchurch South) advocated a policy of “no risks” with subversive elements, whether of the left or the right.