"Odds And Ends" Bill Before Parliament

Chronicle (Levin), 21 October 1949, Page 5

"Odds And Ends" Bill Before Parliament

WELLINGTON, October 20. All domestic and casual workert other than members of hn employer's family, are brought within the scope oi the Workers' Compensation Act, 1922. by a clause in the Statutes Amendmenl Bill introduced in the House of Representatives today. Formerly such workers were covered only where they haa been employed for not less than three eonsecutive days within a period of 12 lhonths before an accident. The Bili contains 62 clauses amending numerousActs. Most of theni are of relativeiy minor importance and designed to eor rect administrative anomalies. It is made an offence to lend money on the security of a holidav card or, with intent to deeeive, to alter one in any material particular. Existing provisions relating to cinematograph films are extended for a fur-1 ther period of five years. Another clause allows ditferent dates to be lixed for the closing of European and Maori rolls. As from April 1 next, fuel oil is to be brought within the scope of the Explosive and Dangerous Goods Amenctment Act, 1920. Provision is made for the making of regulations for the issue of certificates of profieiency in the use of explosives for blasting. The Immigration Restriction Act, 1908 and Undesirable Immigrants Exclusion Act, 1919, are to be extended to persons arriving by aireraft as well as those arriving by ship. The use of air- ' craft as well as ships for deportation or removal, is also authorised under these Acts. Authority is given for the appoinrment of a second additional Judge oi the Oourt of Arbitration. An additional Judge may hold another office concurrently without extra salary. The existing provision requiring additional nominated members of a Court to be appointed whenever an additionai Judge is appointed, is to be repealed. The relevant section of the Infants Act, 1908, has been redrafted to make the status of an adopted child more like that of a natural child. Jury lists are, in future, to be compiied six months later in the year. At present they are compiled between the issue of the warrant (before the end of January) and March 7 (by which date notice of making of the list has to De exhibited). Jurors granted exemption at any session may be called again for service at another session in the same year. The time by which applications may be made to the Court of Review to interpret or amend orders of the court Or adjustment commissions, has been extended to December 31, 1950. Hunday trading is to be permitted at bookstalls, at aerodromes and bus terminals where Rtfnday transport services are running. This provision already appjies to railway bookstalls at stations and railway bus. terminals. Provision is contained in the Bill for the making of regulations for preventing persons being on ships for unauthorised or improper purposes. The time for laying informations for interference with telephone installations, is extended. Where exemption from the closing hour provisions of an award is granted by a Magistrate, the exemption will not affect any other provisions of the award relating to the employment of workers. Last year's Tenancy Act makes it an offence to obtain possession of any dwelling-house or urhan property without an order of the Court or consent of tenant. A clause extends this to any part of the premises.