H—22

(5) Patriotic and Canteen Funds Amendment Act, 1948 The purpose of this Act was to remove the staff of the New Zealand Patriotic Fund Board and the Canteen Fund Board from the control of the Public Service Commission and, while preserving the principle of a common Secretary to both Boards, to permit each Board to appoint its own staff. Provision was also made in this Act for both Boards to contribute to superannuation schemes for their respective staffs. (6) Subsidiary Legislation (a) Revocation of Emergency Regulations.—Provision was contained in the Municipal Corporations Amendment Act, 1948, for the continuance of vegetable-production schemes and pig-farms established under the authority of the Local Authorities (Primary Production) Emergency Regulations 1944. In consequence, these Emergency Regulations, in accordance with Government policy, were revoked. (b) Regulations. —During the year the necessary action was taken in connection with the making of the following regulations : (i) Amended regulations made by the New Zealand Institute of Architects, Incorporated. (ii) The Explosive and Dangerous Goods Regulations 1914, Amendment No. 17. (iii) The Explosive and Dangerous Goods Regulations 1914, Amendment No. 18. (iv) The Mutual Fire Insurance Amending Regulations 1948. C. Local Government Book Mention was made in the last annual report that approval had been given to the publication in book form of the lectures given at the two refresher courses in local government for ex-servicemen employed in the local-government service. This book is to be entitled " Local Government in New Zealand." Considerable progress has been made with the preparation of the book for publication, and it was originally planned to have it published before the end of the year. However, owing to the unfortunate demise of the editor, the late Mr. F. B. Stephens, publication has been delayed, but it is expected that the book will be issued at an early date. D. Rating of Site Values In June, 1948, the High Commissioner for the United Kingdom wrote to the Department requesting certain information on behalf of an Inter-departmental Committee on the Rating of Site Values appointed by the Minister of Health and Secretary of State for Scotland. The Committee had as its function to inquire into the practicability and. desirability of rating site values, and wished to obtain information on the working of this system in other countries. In particular, the Committee desired to obtain the comments of a number of local authorities which levied rates on the unimproved value, together with some which had abandoned this system of rating. To this end a comprehensive questionnaire had been prepared, and the Department's help was solicited in selecting suitable local authorities from which the required information should be obtained. The Department suggested that inquiries be directed to a representative selection of local authorities known to ■ have had experience with the system of rating on the unimproved value. This was done, and full co-operation was secured from each of the local authorities concerned.

10