Statutes Amendment Bill

Northern Advocate, 8 September 1938, Page 8

Statutes Amendment Bill

[Per Press Association. Copyright '.] WELLINGTON, This Day. Various miscellaneous provisions are contained in the Statutes Amendment Bill which was introduced in the House today by Governor-General's message. Many of the amendments are of a more or less technical nature. Oneclause in the Bill removes the restriction on the establishment of private burial grounds. The section dealing with counties provides that county councils may insure their members against personal accident while members arc engaged on their official duties. Power Board Affairs

Another section deals with electric power boards and amends the existing provision with regard to the purchase of electric works. It also authorises boards to raise loans by special order for making advances to property owners for certain electrical installations.

Authority is given fer payment of an annual allowance cf £2OO to the president of the Electric Power Boards and Supply Authorities Association of New, Zealand.

Under the heading of Government railways there is provision for extending superannuation rights and the rights of reappointment of the genera) secretary and assistant-general secretary of the service, while the constitution of tribunals for the purposes of departmental inquiries is slightly modified.

Under the Justicegjof the Peace Act authority is to be given to the Attorney-General to direct, proceedings in respect of indictable offences, and the Attorney-General may delegate this power in any court presided over by justices to any counsel nominated by him. Licensing Committee Elections

Permanent dates are set aside in the Bill for the election of Licensing Committees. It is provided tha'4 committees will be elected on the

second Tuesday in March following every general licensing poll.

Another clause states that former members of the New Zealand Institute of Architects, who may have relinquished their membership, may be eligible for re-registration. The object of this clause is to remove the anomaly in the existing law, and several cases of hardship which have arisen as a result.

Provision is made for the appointment of an additional member to the Opticians Board on the recommendation of the Minister of Health. Another clause gives pharmaceutical chemists the right to serve their apprenticeship in approved private hospitals. The membership of the National Council of Physical Welfare and Recreation is increased from 10 to 12. Costly Banknotes

The section dealing with police offences provides that any person making any replica of a banknote will be liable on summary conviction to a fine up to £5. Various technical amendments are made to the Trustee Act, the main provision relating to accrued interest on debentures or stocks.

After a brief explanation by the Attorney-General, the Hon. H. G. R. Mason, the Bill was read a first time.