I move for leave to introduce a Bill entitled "An Act to confer on the Executive Council special powers for the protection of the community and ensuring the due supply and distribution of the essentials of life during national emergencies."
It would appear from information which I have received this afternoon that the necessity for this measure is not so marked, but from information which is at our disposal in connection with supplies in some parts of the country, such powers as indicated may be immediately necessary. Perhaps you will pardon me, sir, if I make something in the nature of a Second Reading speech at this stage, in view of the special circumstances of the case. I would like to say that this measure is one which has its essence in its Title. There is a shortage in, at least, three places at present in the country. The shortage in at least one of these cases has. I think, been brought about by an idea that got abroad that it was necessary to get in stocks, and, as a consequence, stocks of certain essential commodities have been reduced. It will be seen that merchants in those cases are placed in a position of much difficulty. A regular customer of one of these firms comes along and asks for a certain type of goods. If the merchant demurs, he will be informed that no subsequent business will be transacted with him, that a change will take place, and that another merchant will be approached and that business will be lost. That is a case that has been put to us by one prominent merchant.
It is in order to deal with the supply of essential commodities that we are introducing this measure. It gives power to the Executive Council which is not there at present. It enables the Executive Council to declare by proclamation a national emergency. Parliament can be summoned, if not sitting, within three, and not more than five, days after the issue of such proclamation. Regulations can be made dealing with profiteering and hoarding. Allegations were made towards the end of last week that some cases of profiteering had already occurred. Hoarding is a problem with which it is much more difficult to deal. It may be, and I hope it will be, unnecessary to exercise any of the powers which are asked for in this Bill, but they are powers which in special circumstances ought to be in the hands of the Executive Council—powers for the protection of the community and ensuring the due supply and distribution of the essentials of life during national emergencies. Even if the information which we have just got is true, and I think there will be general agreement that that information is satisfactory, it is quite possible that the supply of coal may still be interrupted. The information as to the end of the general strike does not necessarily connote that the ordinary supplies of coal will be available, and in that case it will be essential that the Executive Council should have power and authority to take such steps as may be deemed advisable to insure that neither profiteering nor hoarding takes place. I accordingly move that leave be given to introduce this Bill.