APPROPRIATION BILL

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2591, 13 October 1915, Page 3

APPROPRIATION BILL

THE IMPORTANT CLAUSES

WAR PRECAUTIONS

Tho two clauses in the Appropriation Bill which excited most comment in the 'House yesterday were as follow :—

Looal Bodies' Loans,

(1) Notwithstanding any Act to the contrary it shall not be lawful or competent for any . local authority or for any , Harbour Board during the present war with' Germany to borrow or contract to borrow any money (otherwise than by way of bank overdraft within the limits of its powers, if any, in that behalf), , whether from the State Advances Office or from any other source whatever, and whether in pursuance of a special Act or under any other authority whatever, without the precedent consent of the Governor-in-Coimcil. , (2) Nothing in this 6tction shall apply to the borrowing of money in pursuance of any. valid contract. made between the lender and borrower before the passing of this Act. ' : (3) This section shall remain' in force during the present war with Germany and no longer. ; Hospital Ship Fund. " Whereas a fund'has been established by His Excellency the Governor for the equipment of a hospital ship to be used in connection with the present war: And- whereas the moneys subscribed' to the 6aid fund 'are 'more than sufficient for the purpose for which the fund was established, arid it is desired to authorise the,expenditure of portion of the said moneys for other purposes: Be it therefore enacted; as. follows:— ■ , (1) All moneys in the fund hereinbefore referred to : that are not, in : the opinion .of His Excellency the Governor, required for the purposes for which the fund has been established! may be expended, for any of the purposes following, namely— (a) For the purchase of comforts : to bo supplied;to wounded soldiers: (b) For the equipment or maintenance of an auxiliary military hospital at Walton-on-Thames, England. . . _ • " (c) For ; the equipment or maintenance of any stationary hospital : or base hospital. (d) For any other purpose that the Governor considers a fit and' proper purpose for the expenditure of the said fund. . (2) This section shall be deemed to have been in force.as from .the date of the establishment of the 6aid fund, and shall?continne in operation until it is specifically repealed. — other daises, - -. Among tho other clauses is one empowering the Minister of Industries and Commerce to expend cut'of the Consolidated Fund any sums required for the, purchase of 'wheat from, Canada or elsewhere. , •, ■ • , ■ . An amendment is made to the , Civil List Act to provide that Ministers even when acting without 6.alary may receive a house allowance; when they are not provided Jit,'tho public cost with a residence cat the'seat of Government. Provision is mado for; the: payment to certain superannuated 1 Civil Servants who. have acted on' commissions of fees for their services, without a corresponding reduction in the amount payable by. way of-superannuation. ; Payment -, is', authorised, of travelling expenses to .members of the General Assembly -when turning home 'from'' a ,*nieetifljj' / of 1 arliahient. i - ,'j ~