NEW LAWS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 82, 31 December 1928, Page 10

NEW LAWS

OPERATE FROM TO-MORROW

THIRD PARTY RISK INSURANCE « SCREENING OF BRITISH FILMS Several of the 'Acts passed in the final session of the 1925-1928 Parliament will become operative to-morrow. These include the Motor Vehicles Insurance (Third Party Risks) Act, the Mental Defectives Amendment Act, the Kinematograph Films Act, the Music Teachers’ Registration Act, the Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Act, the Hanmer Crown Leases Act, the Opticians Act, two Acts dealing with surveyors, and eight other. measures of a consolidating nature.

Under the Motor Vehicles Insurance Act owners of motor vehicles are required to insure against their liability to pay damages on account of deaths or bodily injuries caused by the use of their vehicles. The main object is the protection of those who have suffered injuries through accidents caused by all classes of motor ’vehicles' on the roads. The contract of insurance covers only accidents or injuries tc persons, and does not cover injuries to property. The premiums have been fixed experimentally, the Minister pointing out in the House that it is impossible to forecast exactly how the new law will work out. The Act. is largely a technical one, and certain exemptions and detailed provisions are set out in regard to the payment of premiums (which are to be collected with the annual license fees), change of ownership, liability in the event of death or insolvency of the owner of a vehicle, settlement of claims, etc. When licenses are renewed in May next motorists will to nominate an insurance company with which they wish to place their third-party risk. The Mentally Unfit. The main provisions of the Mental Defectives Act were reviewed on Saturday, and a Special Service message from Auckland published elsewhere this morning outlines the manner in which the new Minister in charge hopes to administer the legislation. Screening fritish Films. The aim of the Kinematograph Films Act is to assist and encourage the British film industry in New Zealand by requiring a certain proportion of British films to be diown. During’ the coming year film renters must acquire at least 7$ per cent, of British films, and this quota is to be increased gradually until 1938, when it will remain at 20 per cent. Exhibitors must show at least 5 per cent, of British films in 1929-30, the quota rising by 2J per cent, annually until 1939, when it will remain at 20 per cent. An undertaking has been given by the renters and exhibitors that these provisions will be carried out without need for enforced compliance. If the promise is not kept the quota law will be made operative by Order-in-Coun-cil. A registrar of films is to be appointed. Other Measures. As the name implies, the Music Teachers’ Registration' Act provides the machinery for the registration of music teachers. In a somewhat similar manner another Act provides the procedure for the registration of opticians. A third seeks to make better provision with respect to the examination and registration of surveyors, while an allied measure sets in motion the -machinery for the constitution of the New Zealand Institute of Surveyors.

According to the provisions of the Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Act failure to comply with a decree for restitution of conjugal rights will now be a ground for judicial separation. This legislation provides also for the extension of the rule as to the retention of her domicile by a deserted wife, notwithstanding that her husband has changed his domicile, to apply to the case of a wife who has been separated from her husband by agreement or otherwise.

The consolidations which become operative as from to-morrow are:— The Post and Telegraph Act, Magistrates Courts Act, Public Works Act, Noxious Weeds Act, Education Reserves Act, Rabbit Nuisance Aet, Orchard and Garden Diseases Act, and Inspection of Machinery Act.