THE BANKRUPTCY ACT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10437, 30 September 1911, Page 5

THE BANKRUPTCY ACT.

QUESTION OF ASSIGNMENTS

I At the meeting of the Mastenon | Chamber of Commerce- yesterday, 'Mr j R. Brown moved, in accordance with 1 notice given, "That an amendment of the present law is desirable, providing that.no private assignments of estates shall be made in future without the consent of a Judge (or RegI istrar) of the Supreme Court." j Speaking on the resolution, Mr Brown, stated that the object of the motion should commend itself to the Chamber. The interest® of the minority should be protected in the mat', ter of private assignments. At presen 1 , there was no protection forNfche j weaker' -creditors. He had spoken\o legal gentlemen on the subject, and* they all agreed that something should be done. Mr J. C. Ewington, in seconding th-* motion, .said he did sw feelingly. He had had experience where private assignments' had heen made where Whey should not have /been made. f Mr J. Cawliberg asked in what respect the smaller creditors were not protected. Mr R. Brown said they did not receive the protection they .should do.

Mr Caselberg asked if the .small creditors could not make a man bankrupt. Mr Beown stated that .small creditor 3 could not always afford to do

Mr J. B. Keith did not consider tb,3 resolution necessary. It would merely toe. feeding the lawyers. There was every chance, given a small man to sue for his debt. Mr James Brown moved as an amendment that the mattea- be referred to the Council of .the. Chamber.

Mr Eiwington stated that the matter was; an important one. There was too much, white-Trashing altogether. Mr J. B. Keith thought that the whole bankruptcy law should--be reviewed. Only that day he had read in the morning paper of a man filing, with liabilities' amounting to only £43. The position in such cases was absurd. The £6 used in filing should have (been employed in paying some or the - , - , After some discussion, tfe amendment of 'Mr James Brown was seconded iby Mr Keith and carried, it being understood "that the whole subject of bankruptcy will be reviewed.