A.—l

22

Section 15 empowers the Minister of Mines, by notice served on the occupier of any coal-bearing lands, to require that occupier to commence coal-mining operations on those lands within a reasonable time to be specified in the notice. If such notice is not complied with the land may be acquired by the Crown, and the compensation payable in any such cas.£ is not to exceed twice the Government valuation of the land. Section 17 enables the Minister of Mines on behalf of His Majesty to acquire such vessels as may be required for the carriage of coal derived from State coal-mines. Section 18 empowers the Minister of Mines to require coal-mine owners to provide suitable and adequate accommodation for the workmen employed in their mines. 1919, No. 41.—The Industrial and Provident Societies Amendment Act, 1919.—This Act adopts the provisions of section 55 of the Industrial and Provident Societies Act, 1893 (Imperial). It permits a company registered under the Companies Act, 1908, to transform itself into a society registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act, 1908. 1919, No. 42.—The Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Amendment Act, 1919.—This Act empowers the Governor-General to abolish the Bay of Islands Hospital District, and to constitute in lieu thereof four new districts comprising respectively the counties of Bay of Islands, Mongonui, Whangaroa, and Hokianga. On the constitution of such hospital districts the Councils of the several counties are respectively to be the Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards of the several hospital districts. 1919, No. 43. —The Native Land Amendment and Native Land Claims Adjustment Act, 1919. — This Act amends in various particulars the law relating to Native land, and confers upon the Native Land Court and the Native Appellate Court respectively jurisdiction to hear and determine certain claims and disputes in relation to Native lands. 1919, No. 44. —The Undesirable Immigrants Exclusion Act, 1919.—The object of this Act is to control the entry into New Zealand of Germans, Austrian*, and other immigrants. Section 3 requires every person landing in New Zealand to furnish to an officer of Customs the particulars referred to in the schedule. Section 4 prohibits the landing of any German or Austrian in New Zealand except subject to a license issued by the Attorney-General. Section 5 empowers the Attorney-General to prohibit any person (not being a person permanently resident in New Zealand) from landing in New Zealand if he is satisfied that such person is disaffected or disloyal, or of such a character that his presence in. New Zealand would be injurious to peace, order, and good government. Section 6 enables the Attorney-General, acting by direction of the Governor-General in Council, to deport certain persons from New Zealand. Section 8 makes it an offence for any person who has been so deported from New Zealand to return to New Zealand except with the consent of the Attorney-General. Section 11 provides for the temporary detention in certain cases of persons proposing to land in New Zealand. The Act applies to the Cook Islands as well as to New Zealand proper. 1919, No. 45. —The New Zealand Institute of Architects Amendment Act, 1919.—This Act extends the time within which persons may be registered as architects under the New Zealand Institute of Architects Act, 1913, in the case of persons who have served beyond the seas as members of an Expeditionary Force. 1919, No. 46.—The Electric-power Boards Amendment Act, 1919.—This Act provides for the triennial election of members of Electric-power Boards, and also confers on such Boards power to make, levy, and collect rates without having recourse to the local authorities whose districts are comprised in the electric-power district, 1919, No. 47.—The Prisons Amendment Act, 1919.—This Act makes better provision with respect to the administration of the Prisons Act, 1908. It provides for the appointment of a Con-troller-General of Prisons, and also for the appointment of such Inspectors of Prisons as may be found necessary. The powers and duties of the Controller-General and the Inspectors are expressed in general terms, and by section 9 it is provided that prison officers in the exercise of their duties shall have the protection and privileges of members of the Police Force. 1919, No. 48.'—The Police Force Amendment Act, 1919.—This Act provides for the appointment of temporary members of the Police Force, and enables the Governor-General by Order in Council to make regulations with respect to the pay, allowances, appointment, promotion, qualifications, classification, duties, discipline, control, and conditions of employment of such temporary members. Section 6 preserves the superannuation rights of members of the Force who may have resigned for the purpose of joining an Expeditionary Force, and who on their return to New Zealand are reappointed members of the Police Force. 1919, No. 49-—The Discharged Soldiers Settlement Amendment Act, 1919.—Section 2 empowers the Governor-General by Proclamation to resume land held under lease or license from the Crown and required for the settlement of discharged soldiers. The Act also extends in various particulars the benefits provided for by the principal Act and the classes of persons entitled to such benefits. 1919, No. 50. —The Shearers' Accommodation Act, 1919. —This Act repeals that portion of the Shearers' and Agricultural Labourers' Accommodation Act, 1908, which relates to shearers, and makes more extensive provision requiring employers of shearers to provide suitable and adequate accommodation for their employees. Powers of inspection and requisition are conferred on Inspectors of Factories appointed under the Factories Act, 1908, and upon Inspectors who may be specially appointed for the purposes of the present Act. The Act requires employers to provide separate accommodation for sleeping and for meals, and to make provision for a water-supply and for lighting, heating, ventilation, and sanitation. Wilful damage to the accommodation provided is punishable on summary conviction by a fine of £5, and the person convicted may be ordered by the convicting Court to pay compensation for the damage done by him. 1919, No. 51. —The Expeditionary Forces Voting Act, 1919.—This Act is divided into Parts as follows :—