WAR LEGISLATION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXVII, Issue 9127, 24 October 1917, Page 3

WAR LEGISLATION.

AN AMENDING BILL

IMPORTANT PROVISIONS

I WELLINGTON, Oct. 22. The War Legislation Amendment Bin was introduced..by Governor's Message in the House of Representatives this evening.

It provides that the Supreme Court may declare forfeited to the King any forfeitable estate or interest in land acquired by an alien enemy since the commencement of the war. The order of forfeiture may be made either during or after the war.

Lands which, on the intestacy of the owner, would vest, in an alien enemy but for his nationality, may bo declared to have been vested in the Public Trustee in trust for the King. „'■•.. Every contract, made after the;,.commencement of the Act and during; the war ' for the acquisition by an alien enemy, or by aiiy person in trust for an alien enemyj of any freehold estate" or interest in land, or of any leasehold estate, or interest in land, for a term which .will not expire within '.twovyieirs from-the date of-the contract shall 'be absolutely void;: and every, party to sueh t contract or , any other' person knowingly concerned in the making thereof shall! be liable on summary conf viction to a fine not exceeding £100, or to imprisonment .for a term not exceeding^three month's. The Bill defines an "alien enfciny" as a person who is a subject of any State with which his Majesty is how at war. An alien enemy will not be qualified to vote at any election of a member of a local authority, or at any election or poll conducted by such local authority and shall not be capable of being elected or appointed as member of any such local authority. An alien, 1 not being an alien enemy, shall not be capable of being elected or appointed a member of any local authority, but is not disqualified from voting unless specifically disqualified by statute.

Offenders under the section are liable on.summary conviction to a line of £100, or to imprisonment for three months, or to both such line and punishment.

Part 3 of the Bill is devoted mainly to soldiers' contracts. The provisions apply to a contract whether it was entered into by the soldier before or after he became a soldier.

Any soldier who is a party to a contract may apply in a summary manner to a Stipendiary Magistrate for'an order for the cancellation, suspension, modification or extension of that' contract, and the Magistrate may determine or modify the contract. In certain cases an appeal shall lie ■ to the Supreme ,Court from an order made by a Magistrate. The Bill provides for a restriction or an increase of rent.

An inspector of factories may axiake application on behalf of a tenant for the determination by '■' a Stipendiary Magistrate of, the capital' value of a dwelling-house.' ■-■ , Provision is also made for the adjudication of disputes in connection with the reut of furnished houses.

. The Bill introduces a Mining Act amendment, making now provisions with regard to the security of' windiug ropes for the duration, of the present war arid for 12 months thereafter'; ""

The aiiplication of the Moitgages Extension Acts is extended to securities over life insurance policies. The Bill provides that tlie Minister of:lnternal Affairs may security to be given before issuing any permit to any person about to leave New Zealand.

The Governor-General may take possession of laud and buildings required during time of war for any public purpose. Officers of the police force may be retained in the service after the retiring age. Officers in the Government service will not be entitled without leave to retire on j superannuation during the continuance of the war.

Officers must not be transferred from one department to another during the continuance of the war without the consent of the Minister in charge of the Department in which such person is employed. There may be granted from time to time war bursaries for educational purposes to" children of deceased or disabled members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces. ..The definition of "war fund" is extended #b empower collecting agencies to receive moneys for any; fund, "for the acquisition of.any sports ground, or parky," in- commemmbratioh' jof the services rendered;-in':, the present war ;by his Majesty's naval or military forces, or any portion of such forces." -Another clause relating to war funds makes it an offence for any person not in possession of a permit granted under this Act to collect moneys for any war fund in any way whatsoever. Permits may be granted by the Mayor of a city or borough, or the chairman of a county in which any entertainment .or*other collecting scheme maybe adopted, the president or chairman of a patriotic society controlling a v war -fund;, a superintendent of inspector of police, or any other'person authorised for this .'purpose; by the'Min-. ister of Internal Affairs. The penalty for. collecting without a permit may be a fine not exceeding; £20.' v ■ ■ .V-; ■■ , " .-."■' There is a somewhat comprehensive clause relating to^ar Regulations in which it is declared that all regulationshitherto made under the War. Regulations Act shall be deemed to be valid. ..•Another clause gives the Government power to make o^her regulations for the following; pitrposes:-— For -prohibiting br M restricting enter- 1 - prises not essential to the public welfare j or the '■■'formation- of companies for £he carrying on of *■''• such: enterprises ; For prohibiting of restricting foreign companies . from commencing business in New Zealand; For regulating and controlling the delivery of goods in cities or boroughs with the object of saving labour; For regulating, controlling, and enforcing the labour of alien enemies; •"'... „ For requiring persons- (aliens or not; not employed in an essential industry to become so employed, or to show cause before a Stipendiary why they should not become so employed; For the conduct of any industry or enterprise that may be considered by the Governor-General essential for the public welfare; For authorising the employment of women or girls in any industry in lieu of men, notwithstanding anything in any Act to. the contrary, if in the opinion \of the Governor-General in Council

such employment of women or girls in lieu of men will not be a source of danger to the safety of; any persons. As a complement to,the section authorising the making of regulations to control ihe delivery of goods in cities or boroughs, it is provided that powers may be conferred upon city and borough councils to make by-laws to control the delivery of goods within their areas.