WAR LEGISLATION BILL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLII, Issue 10114, 23 October 1917, Page 7

WAR LEGISLATION BILL.

DRASTIC PROVISIONS AFFECTING ENEMY ALIENS. FURTHER PROTECTION FOIt SOLDIERS. PUBLIC SERVANTS AFFECTED. " (FHOH OOP PARMAMPNT4RV RrPOBTTB.) WELLINGTON, Oct. T2. The War Legislation Bill, introduced .o-day, contains some important clauses. It deals with the acquisition of laud by ilien enemies, soldiers' contracts, restriction of rents, and various other matters. Tho bill provides that the Supreme Court may declare forfeited to the Crown any forfeitable estate, or Interest; in land acquired by an alien enemy since the commencement of the war. ' Tho order of forfeiture may bei made cither during, or after the war. Lands which, on the intcsitacy of the owner, would vest in an alien enemy, hut for his nationality, may be vested iu the Public Trustee on conditions to be determined by the Governor-in-Coun-eil. Alien enemies are not to he allowed to vote at local elections, oV to become members of local authorities. Aliens may vote in local elections, but may not become members of local bodies. Substantial penalties arc provided for breaches of those rules. Another portion of the bill makes .provision for the' relied of soldiers from burdensome contracts. The clauses giv.> the -Magistrates power to determine or modify soldiers' contracts, in cases where, those contracts) arc considered to be inequitable, having regard to tho obligation of applicant to military service, and to the conditions, created by the present war. Poisons affected may appeal to the Supremo Court. Prbtec- • oil is afforded tet contractors where the performance of contract is interfered with by the requirements of Admiralty, or the Army Council. The clauses relating' to restriction of increase of rents provide that inspector's ol fac-1 lories may apply, on behalf of tenants, to have the capital value of a dwellinghouse ascertained, and the rent may 'hen be adjusted under the "War Legis-| lation Act, 1910. Any dispute as to the standard rout may be determined by a. Stipendiary Magistrate. Some miscellaneous clauses of the Rill provide that the Minister-of Internal Affairs may require security to be given before issuing permits to any persons to leave Now Zealand. The Government may take possession of land or buildings, during war time, for any public purpose. Officers of the public service arc not entitled, without leave, to retire on superannuation during the continuance of the war. A very sweeping clause validates all war regulations anel (lives wide powers for further regulations. The Government may prohibit the ine of labour and capital in any industry, or for any purpose declared to be not essential, or onlv partially essential for the public i welfare.- It may control, tho delive'iy of gooels in order to save labour, re'tiu-1 late the labour.of alien enemies, require persons not engaged in an essential ineltistry to become engaged anel authorise- the. employment ■ f women and in any capacity in lieu of men. Provision is made for war bursaries for .soldiers' children, the allowance not to exceed thirty pounds yearly. A system of, permits is'also to be enforced under the bill in conenction with tho collection of moneys for war funds,