CHANGES TO LAW

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24738, 15 October 1941, Page 6

CHANGES TO LAW

STATUTES AMENDMENT BILL WIDE RANGE OF PROVISIONS (0.C.) WELLINGTON, Oct. 14. Amendments to the Statutes Amendment Bill which is on the Order Paper of the House of Representatives awaiting committal were introduced in the House of Representatives to-night. They were referred to the committee on the Bill. A varictv of topics is covered in the Bill. The staff of the Otago Denial School is exempted from the requirement to obtain annual practising certificates.

The functions of.societies registered under the Industrial Societies Act, 1908. are extended by another clause. Amendments to the Iron and Steel Industry Act, 1937, provide that mining privileges in respect of iron ore may. with the consent of the Minister, be granted under the Mining Act, 1926. The” Minister is not to consent, however, unless he is satisfied that no iron ore produced under such privilege will be used to make iron or steel for commercial purposes. , A large section of the amendments relates to local bodies’ finance. The Minister of Internal Affairs may authorise borrowing by a local body to meet expenditure arising from flood, storm, or land slips. Advances by local authorities to property owners to remedy conditions arising from such causes may also be made, Changes are also made to the Police Force Act, 1913. The constitution of boards of appeal to hear appeals by members oMhe force arising from inquiries into their conduct, is altered. The boards are to consist of a stipendiary magistrate as chairman, a commissioned police officer equal or senior in rank to the appellant, and a nominated member elected by members of the force under procedure set out in a subclause. The final amendments relate to the Transport Licensing Act, 1931. Regulations may be made providing for the taking of polls of licensees on proposals that they are to be required to join any organisation of licensees, and also requiring all licensees to join such organisation if at the poll not less than 75 per cent, of the votes are in favour or the proposal.