Bill Lowers Age Of Majority

Press, Issue 32345, 10 July 1970, Page 24

Bill Lowers Age Of Majority

(New Zealand Press Association > WELLINGTON, July 9. From next January 1 20-year-old New Zealanders will be legally recognised as adults.

! covered by the legislation on I minimum wage rates. > With the changes is one to

This is the effect of the Age of Majority Bill introduced in Parliament today by the

Minister of Justice (Mr Riddiford). Twenty-year-olds will be able to place bets or marry without parental consent, and will don many other responsibilities or receive privileges enjoyed by adults. When Parliament passed legislation last year enabling 20-year-olds to vote in general elections or to enter hotel bars, the Government gave an undertaking to introduce legislation lowering the age of majority. More than 50 acts and many regulations are affected by the bill. Twenty-year-olds will become liable to jury service from next year, and will be

common law which deems a person to have reached an age the day preceding his birthday. The age will now be attained on the birthday. The provisions, other than in limited exceptions, will not affect instruments, Other than wills, executed or made before January 1, or the wills of testators who die before January 1. Most awards, and other industrial agreements relating to remuneration or conditions of employment, made before the commencement of the act will not be affected.