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XVII. NATURALIZATION In 1943 the British Nationality and Status of Aliens (in New Zealand) Act, 1928, was amended to allow for the naturalization of servicemen. Under this Act 29 certificates were issued. ' As a result of the lifting of wartime restrictions on naturalization, the pressure of work on this Branch of the Department has mounted steadily. Eighteen certificates have been issued under the provisions of the Act of 1928, and at the 31st March, 1946, there were on record approximately 700 applications receiving the detailed investigation and careful consideration that must necessarily precede the admission of an alien to British citizenship. Declarations by British-born wives of aliens of their desire to retain, while in New Zealand, the rights, but not the status, of a British subject numbered 11 ; and declarations by alien wives of their desire to acquire British nationality numbered 5. XVIII. RACING During the current racing year ended the 31st July, 1946, a complete restoration of the wartime cut in racing was made on the condition that, in view of the necessity for production, meetings were still to be confined to Saturdays and public holidays. Particulars of totalizator investments and taxation are published in the Monthly Abstract of Statistics. A Royal Commission consisting of the Hon. Mr. Justice George Panton Finlay, of Auckland, a Judge of the Supreme Court, William Henry Freeman, Esquire, of Hamilton, Stipendiary Magistrate, and Joseph William Allan Heenan, Esquire, C.8.E., of Wellington, Under-Secretary for Internal Affairs, was appointed to inquire into and report upon gaming and racing matters in New Zealand. XIX. WAR FUNDS, 1914-18 The 1914-18 patriotic funds, to the number of 52, registered under the War Funds Act, 1915, are recorded as possessing the following assets : £ s. d. 25 incorporated societies .. .. .. .. 263,988 010 7 Red Cross organizations .. .. .. .. 43,097 6 5 2 Blind Soldiers and Veterans' Homes Funds .. .. 68,106 18 9 11 unincorporated societies .. .. .. .. 7,072 14 9 6 returned soldiers'clubs .. .. .. .. 21,685 011 1 National War Funds Council .. .. .. 75,409 5 6 £479,359 7 2 This is £24,111 7s. less than the amount recorded in the last annual report. The annual reports received, in general, reveal little diminution in the calls for assistance from beneficiaries. XX. ADVERTISING OFFICE Newspaper-advertising costs for casual and contract insertions recorded in this Office for the year totalled £51,869 18s., as compared with £49,851 13s. sd. for the previous twelve months. This is due, in the main, to additional production and rehabilitation advertising campaigns. The Press Section averages 3,400 newspaper clippings supplied weekly to Ministers of the Crown, Government Departments, and overseas posts.

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