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1944 N E W ZBALAND

DEPARTMENT OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS (ANNUAL REPORT OF THE) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1944.

Laid on the Table of the House of Representatives by Leave

Sir,— Department of Internal Affairs, Wellington, 24th July, 1944. I have the honour to submit herewith the annual report of the Department for the year ended 31st March, 1944. I have, &c., . The Hon. W. E. Parry, ,T. W. Heenan, Under-Secretary. Minister of Internal Affairs.

REPORT

I. HISTORICAL BRANCH The work of the Branch has gone on steadily during the year. The Historical Atlas staff is now three. Work on the Early Settlement map is much nearer completion, the material for the Modern Maori map lias been checked, checking is now going on for the Map showing Early Missionary Activity, and Antarctic Exploration is being pretty thoroughly revised and brought up to date from the available material. On the typographical side the Branch produced the Ngarimu V.C. Investiture booklets and other printed materials, has co-operated with the Prime Minister's Department, with Army Archives, and with the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council in printing production, and has designed and supervised a number of special bindings. The Branch has also advised on the purchase of pictures for public purposes, and on such matters as the preservation of early New Zealand buildings of historical interest. Documentary photographic work for publicity overseas has been carried on continuously, involving much travel and technical skill. A great deal of labour has been put into the provision of the text for a handbook on New Zealand for distribution in the United States, and this is now almost complete. 11. CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTIONS The responsibilities of the Department in the constitutional field included action in connection with the following matters :— (a) The preparation of the documents relating to the dissolution of Parliament and other constitutional steps arising from the holding of the general election : (b) The issue of the writs for the general election : (c) Appointments to and vacancies in the Legislative Council: (<l) The appointment and resignation of members of the Executive Council and Ministers: (e) The prorogation and summoning of Parliament: (/) Appointment of Deputy of the Governor-General. 111. LOCAL GOVERNMENT A. General Organization The services of the Local Government Branch of the Department were again utilized to the maximum.extent in carrying out the Department's statutory functions arising out of the local-government legislation, The Branch maintained close contact with local authorities generally, and advice and