WAR LEGISLATION

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 42, 18 August 1914, Page 4

WAR LEGISLATION

WHAT PARLIAMENT HAS DONE MAIN PROVISIONS OUTLINED. REGULATION OF GRADE.

The legislation passed by Parliament before it adjourned on Friday night went through both Houses so hurriedly that even members themselves were not fully aware of its import. The Printing Office is busily engaged preparing the Acts for circulation. In order that the public may fully understand the legislation we give below the main provisions of some of the Acts. FOODSTUFFS: REGULATING THE PIUGIiS. The Regulation of Trade and Commerce j Act is one ot the most important. It provides that in time of war the Governor may, by Order-in-Council, fix the maximum puce ot any class of goods i~ any such Order-in-Council will be l evoked within a month alter peace is declared, xne maximum price may be nxed either as a specified sum or by reference to the standard price of such goods. "btand- | ard price" is denned as "the current price at which goods of the same nature and quality were saleable in the same locality on the Ist day of August, 19i4, if sold in the same quantity and on the same terms as to payment, delivery, or otherwise." long as the Order-in-Council fixing the price remains in force, atiy person who, by himself or his agent, sells or agrees, or offers- to sell, or demand any goods for a, price in excess of the maximum commits an ottence. Tin's, however, does not apply to goods sold for export and not for use in.' Aew Zealand. The penalty for a breach of these provisions is £500. If two or more; persons are responsible for the same ottence each will be liable to the same penalty, which will be recoverable by a civil action in the Supreme Court instituted by the Attorney-General. The Court is given the power to remit such part of the penalty as it thinks fit, and it also has power to admit and accept; evidence which would not be admissible in other proceedings. In any action for the recovery of a penalty no one will be excused from answering questions or producing documents on the ground that the answers would ,be incriminating, t Contracts made in breach of the Act will be-null and void, and if money has been paid under such a contract it can be recovered by the buyer from the seller, i If, after any contract of sale has been made, the seller or his agont demands from the buyer a price in excess of the maximum price ot those goods at the time of the contract of sale, the seller shall be deemed to have sold the goods at the price so demanded, and the con' tract shall be void as against the buyer. Power is given to the Governor to prohibit the exportation of any goods, the prohibition of the exportation of which is in Ins opinion necessary in the public interest. • An important section of the Act is under the heading '"Suspension of Awards and Statutory Provisions." It reads as follows : — ' . "At any^ time while His Majesty is at war with aay foreign prince or State, the Governor may from time to time, by Order>in-Louncil, if satisfied that such a course is necessary in the puoiic interest, modify or suspend wholly or partially, and subject to such conditions as he thinks fit— "(a) All or any of the provisions of any industrial award or industrial agreement under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, ltiv/o, and its amendments. "(b) All or any, of the provisions of the Shops and Ofiices Act, 1908, and of the Factories Act, 1908, and their amendments. "(c) All or "any of the provisions of any other Act so far as such provisions take away or restrict the liberty of private contract in matters of trade, commerce, business, or employment." It is provided, however, that the powers conferred by this section shall not be exercised in regard to the minimum rate of wages fixed by any award or agreement. The Governor is further empowered, when he considers it necessary in the public interest, to seize .any goods or class of goods, and .to Use such force as may be necessary. Resistance to such seizure is made an indictable offence, punishable by two years' imprisonment or a fine of £500. ■ Tull compensation will be paid for any goods so seized. For the "purpose of the Act,' tho Governor is giveti power to appoint any person' or pel-sons to be a Commission to enquire into and report upon any or all of the following matters : — (a) The state of the prices of goods in. New Zealand and elsewhere, whether before' or after the' outbreak of ,war. (b) The quantity, situation, demand, supply, oorr r possession of any goods in New Zealand. ' > (c) The means or sufficiency of the supply or transport of goods. (d) The_ necessity or advisability of •the exercise by the Governor or the Governor-iii-Council of any of the powers conferred by the Act. Trading with the enemy in any shape or form is absolutely prohibited. Such an act is an indictable offence, punishable by imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, or a fine not exceeding £1000, or both. Any body corporate so offending is liable to a fine not exceeding £5000. The Act will continue in force until 31st December, 1915. BANKING. Under the Banking Amendment Acts (there are 'two) power is given to the Governor-in-Council by Proclamation to declare bank notes a legal tender, subject to tlie following provisions : — That in the case of a bank having its head dffice'in Now Zealand, the assets exceed the liabilities by at least the aniount of its paid-up capital; and that, in the case of a bank which has its head office outside New Zealand, the assets of the bank within New Zealand exceed its liabilities. Further, the Govenior-in-Coun-cil may require the bank to give adequate security that it will pay gold for the notes after the expiration of the period fixed by the Proclamation. The exportation of gold without the consent of the Minister of Finance is prohibited. Any gold illegally exported or attempted to be exported will be forfeited.