NEW LAWS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 3 January 1927, Page 3

NEW LAWS

IN OPERATION AS FROM Ist JANUARY

Referenco has already been made to some of the new laws which come into Operation at the beginning of thy New (Year.

A formidable consolidation measure relating to hospital and charitable instiftutjoos operates from January Ist, [when the Town Planning Act also comes into full force. A short amendment of tlie Education Act will then operate, reducing the eligible age for junior national scholars to 13, and finally disposing of the system of licensing uncertilicated teachers for employment in our schools.

Proceedings in the Magistrate's Courts will be facilitated by the- amending Act operating from New Year's Day, one feature being an extension of the powers of Justices, who will be able under certain conditions to issue attachment orders, subject to final confirmation by a stipendiary magistrate. This is going jp be of importance to country creditors, who cannot get quick access to a stipendiary when they need an order.

New Zealand law controlling the discharge of oil into territorial waters is considerably strengthened by an amendment coming into force in January, bringing the law into line with British practice. Another new statute of interest to veterinary surgeons is about to operate. This provides for the 'registration of these practitioners, with a view to ultimately securing that none but those who hav e gone through an academic course may secure registration.

.'.; INFANT GUARDIANSHIP The Guardianship of Infants Act is another example of legislation in New Zealand following the lead of Britain. The law relating to guardianship is now more explicit and comprehensive. The Supreme Court is given power to determine questions of principle relating to the custody and upbringing of infants, th e statute declaring that in deciding these questions "the Court shall regard the welfare of the InTant as the first and paramount consideration, whether from any other point of view the claim of the father, or anv right at common law possessed by the" father, in respect of such upbringing, custody or administration of property i tl trust' for <m infant, is superior to that of the mother, or the claim of the mother is superior to that of the father." The fattier or the mother "of an infant may ,by deed appoint a guardian after the death of the person making this provision, and the statute contains provision covering the possibility of disputes between the guardian and the surviving parent. - b

The Fire Brigades Act as consolidated, comes into force on January 1, and with it a new scale of State contributions, ranging from £4OO in the case, of Weihngton, £3OCT for Auckland Christchurch and Duncdin, down to £75 per annum where the fire district"contains not, more than 15,000 inhabitants Iwo important policy measures, Rural Advances and the. Local Government Loan Board Act, do not come into' orce until April 1 next, which is also no date for payment of the first instalments of the allowances to mothers under the I'annly Allowance Act of last session.

In repeating that most of the 845 pages of statutes passed last session did not wait for January 1 to operate, it is worth reminding cyclists that one of the Acts which became enforcible immediately on passing was that, which requires the carrying of a reflector on the rear of bicycles.