MORTGAGE RELIEF

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22901, 2 December 1937, Page 15

MORTGAGE RELIEF

PROVISIONS IN ACT FURTHER AMENDMENTS ORDERS REGARDING DEBTS [~BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Wednesday Further amendments to the Mortgagors and Lessees Rehabilitation Act were introduced bv Governor-General's message in the House of Representatives to-night. These took the form of amendments to the Mortgagors and Lessees Rehabilitation Amendment Bill now before the House. "It is provided in the principal Act that adjustable debts are reduced on the date to be specified in the order," said the Attorney-General, the Hon. H. G. R. Mason, when explaining the amendments on their introduction. "Some of the orders have not specified the date and one clause in the bill rectifies that position. Only specified debts are deemed to be discharged and it is provided in another clause that where a debt has been concealed and the creditor has had no opportunity of making representations no order can be made in respect of that debt."

Another clause dealt with power to vary certain orders under which rates were paid, the Minister continued. It had been made fairly clear from a recent decision of the Court of Review that some of its previous decisions with respect to liability for rates were not in accordance with the Act. Although it was not expressed that way the clauso really gave the right of appeal in such cases where liability for arrears of raters was concerned. Another clause, Mr. Mason added, provided for a review of the liability ol' a guarantor who lost his rights against an applicant for adjustment.

LOSING QUALIFIED MEN

DANGER FROM LEGISLATION BETTER CONDITIONS OVERSEAS [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Wednesday "We are always complaining that we are losing a lot of our university men," said the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. A. Hamilton, in discussing the Mining Amendment Bill in the House to-day. "We have a degree from the Otago School of Mines which qualifies a young man for a mining job in any part of the world. "A man holding that degree is recognised to have the highest qualifications and every effort should be made to retain the services of such a man," Air. Hamilton continued. "The bill is more likely to drive him out of New Zealand than anything else as it may impose further difficulties in the matter of qualifying. "It is questionable if a young man holding this certificate will be able to get a job in his own country under as favourable conditions as are offered in Siam, South Africa and other parts of the world. This is a question which could well be considered by the Government."

INADEQUATE REVENUE

ART GALLERY AND MUSEUM PROBLEM FOR THE TRUSTEES [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Wednesday "While there have been many gifts of valuable pictures and exhibits and two handsome funds which will be available later for purchase of pictures, the board lias 110 endowment fund or resources for carrying on its operations, and is, therefore, dependent upon annual grants from the Government and local bodies, plus public subscriptions, for this purpose," states the annual report of the Board of Trustees of the National Art Gallery and Dominion Museum presented in Parliament. "The Government has made an annual grant of £7OOO, and the Wellington City Corporation made a grant of £SOO for 1935-36 and has voted £IOOO for the current year ending March 31, 1938." continues the report, "but the present revenue is totally inadequate to meet running costs and provide essential funds for repairs and renewals, depreciation, purchase of pictures and exhibits and educational facilities. "Unless, therefore, the revenue can be considerably augmented the work of the institutions must suffer a severe setback, and their educational aims be stultified." The treasurer, Mr. F. B. Dwyer, said the main income and expenditure account disclosed a most disappointing position. Even with the exercise of stringent economy, revenue was only £143 in excess of actual expenditure. Efforts of the director had been hampered through lack of finance, the staff was short, and there was no margin for exhibit improvement. Revenue required for the year was at least £12.200 if the board was to function efficiently, but only £BSOO was in sight.