AMENDMENTS TO STATUTES

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25346, 20 November 1947, Page 10

AMENDMENTS TO STATUTES

BILL INTRODUCED (P.A.) WELLINGTON, November 19. Seventy-five clauses amending 35 different statutes are contained in the Statutes Amendment Bill introduced in the House of Representatives today and referred to the Statutes Revision Committee. An amendment to the Annual Holidays Act provides that employment may be deemed to be continuous if a worker is dismissed and re-employed within one month. An explanatory memorandum says the purpose of this clause is to prevent evasion by employers of their obligation under the principal act by dismissal and reengagement of workers, thus depriving them of benefits to which they would otherwise be entitled under the act. Another clause makes the discounting of holiday cards an offence. The value of tools of trade, furniture, and household effects which a bankrupt is allowed to select and retain as his own property is increased from £5O to £lOO. Provision is made for the making of regulations governing the keeping of bees and the disposal of honey produced in areas where there is a likelihood of honey’s being poisoned. Recently a number of persons in one district were admitted to hospital as a result of eating honey—dew produced by passion-vine hoppers from stems and leaves of tutu. County councils are empowered to contribute towards the cost and maintenance of public amenities, such as women’s rest rooms or Plunket rooms established in adjoining boroughs. County councils are also given authority to make by-laws regulating and controlling the design and construction of buildings in relation to their resistance to earthquake shocks. In any case where a council fails to do this regulations for the same purpose may be made by Order-in-Coun-cil. Consent to Adoption The bill provides that in requiring the consent of the parents of a child to its adoption, the Court is not called upon to obtain the consent of the natural father in the case of an illegitimate child or of the natural parents in the case of a child that has previously been adopted. In the latter case it is the adopted parents whose consent is required. There is a clause dealing with the superannuation allowance of judges who hold office for less than 10 years and retire on attaining the age of 72 years. The Judicature Amendment Act 1920 provides for the superannuation allowance of judges holding office for less than 10 years, but not less than five years and resigning for ill-health. The clause extends this provision to judges holding office for less than 10 years, but not less than five years and retiring on attaining the age of 72. Drainage boards and river boards are authorised to provide 'dwellings for their employees and to raise loans without taking polls of ratepayers for the purpose of acquiring land and erecting or purchasing such dwellings An amendment to the Local Government Commission Act passed last year gives the chairman o r the Local Government Commission the title of “His Honour Mr Justice.” It is stated in the principal act that the chairman has the same rights and is subject to the same provisions as a judge of the Supreme Court as to tenure of office, salary, emoluments, and privileges. Authority is given in the bill for a former judge of the Supreme Court to be appointed judge of the Court of Review to which a number of applications are made each year for the interpretation and amendments of orders made by that Court and by Mortgage Adjustment Commissions. There is at present no judge of the Court of Review. Safety provisions for shipping relating to load lines and other precautions are extended to barges. It is stated that there is a growing practice in certain ports of ships’ towing barges, lighters, and other vessels which have themselves no independent means of propulsion and carry i deadweight cargoes, such as sand, shingle, and cement. The penalty for the disturbance of stock by trespassers with dog or firearm is increased from £5 to £5O.