AMENDING THE LAWS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 200, 24 August 1943, Page 2

AMENDING THE LAWS

STATE CONTRACT ACCOUNTS

(By Teleeraph.-Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. Three bills were passed in the House of Representatives yesterday and four other measures made their appearance. The bills put through thP final stages were the Local LegisJtionßilU Social Security Amendment Bill with two amendments introduced in Committee and the Age Benefits and Invalids Benefits (Reciprocity with Australia) Bill. The bills introduced were an Emergency Regulations Amendment BUI a Workers' Compensation Amendment Bill, a Statutes Amendment Bill and a Finance Bill — a Sing-up. measure which came down towards midnight. Also on the Order Paper yesterday was the second reading debate on the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill—a contentious measure. It was agreed, after a protest by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Holland, to postpone consideration of this bill until to-day.

Investigating Accounts

The Finance Bill was read the first time In addition to clauses making concessions to State tenants, the bill provides that the Treasury and Audit Office may investigate accounts in connection with Government' contracts. Every person who obstructs such investigation or makes false or misleading statements is liable to a penalty of £50 or three months' imprisonment and to a continuing penalty of £5 a day in the case of a company or other corporation. The maximum fine may be £500 and a continuing penalty of £50 a day. This clause, stated the Minister of Finance, Mr. Nash, had been inserted at the request of the AuditorGeneral. The Crown Suits Act is to be amended by removing the limit of £2000 on claims against the Crown in respect of death or personal injury. Another clause removes the disqualification of candidates for election to Parliament who have received commissions for obtaining subscriptions to the-Liberty Loan. Income Tax Assessments The estates of merchant seamen who have died as a result of the war are to be exempt from death duties in the same way as the estates of deceased members of the services.

The reason for another clause was explained by the Minister of Finance as being due to the fact that the Income Tax Department has at present so small a staff. The clause extends to ten years, from 1943, the time within which amendments of the income tax assessment may be made.

The provision for financing wheat research is to he extended until December 31, 1948.