AMENDMENT BILL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23599, 8 September 1938, Page 9

AMENDMENT BILL

ALTERATIONS TO STATUTES MEASURE READ A FIRST TIME WIDE VARIETY OF PROVISIONS (From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, Sept. 7. Various miscellaneous provisions are contained in the Statues Amendment Bill, which was introduced in the House of Representatives to-day by Governor-General’s Message. Many of the amendments are of a more or less technical nature. One clause in the Bill removes the restriction on the establishment of private* burial grounds. A section dealing with counties provides that county councils may insure their members against personal accident while the members are engaged on their official duties. Electric Power Boards 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 for the .payment of an annal allowance of £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 the superannuation rights and the rights of reappointment of the general secretary and the assistant general secretary of the service, while the constitution of tribunals for purposes of departmental inquiries is slightly modified.

Under the Justices of the Peace Act authority is to be given to the Attorney-general to direct a Stay of 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 Committees Permanent dates are set aside in the Bill for the election of licensing committees. It is provided that the committees will be elected oh 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 Ids eligible for re-registration. The object of this clause is to remove an anomaly in the existing law and to provide for several cases of hardship which have arisen as a result. Provision is made for the appointment of ah additional member to the Opticians’ Board on the recommendation of the Minister of Health. Another clause gives pharmaceutical chemists the right to serve their apprenticeships in an approved private hospital. The membership of the National Council of Physical Welfare and Recreation is increased from 10 to 12 members. Police Offences A section dealing with police offences provides that any person making any replica of a bank note will be liable on summary conviction to a fine of £5. Various technical amendments are made to the Trustee Act,, the main provision relating to accrued interest on debentures or stock. The Bill was read a first time.