MORE WAR LEGISLATION

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 24, 23 October 1917, Page 6

MORE WAR LEGISLATION

GOVERNMENT ASKS FOR WIDE POWERS

ATTENTION TO ALIENS

PLANS FOR ECONOMY AND

EFFICIENCY

WELLINGTON RENTS The War Legislation Bill was introduced by Governor-General's, Message in tho House of Representatives last evening. It provides that the Supremo Court may declare forfeited to the Zing any forfeitable estate or interest in laud acquired by an alien enemy since the commencement of the war. The order of forfeiture may ho made either during or after the war. Lands which, on tho intestacy of the owner would vest in an alien enemy but for his nationality, may }>e declared to have vested in the l'ublio Trustee in trust for the King. Every contract made after the commencement of the Act and during the war for the acquisition by an alien enemy or by any person in trust for an alien enemy of any freehold estate or iniercst in land, or of any leasehold estate or interest in land for a term which will not expire within two vears from tho date of the contract shall be absolutely void, and every party to such contract and every other person knowingly concerned in the making thereof shall bo liable on summary oonviction to a fine not exceedinj JIM, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months.

The Bill defines an "alien" enemy one ■who is a subject of any State with which His Majesty is now at war. An alien enemy will not bo qualified to vote at any election of a member of a local authority or at any election or poll conducted tyy such local authority, and shall not be capable of being elected or appointed as member of any such local authority. An alien, not. being an alien enemy, shall not be capable of being elected or appointed a member of any locol authority, bnt is not disqualified from voting ■unless specifically disqualified by statute. Offenders under the section are liable on summary conviction to a fine of .£IOO or-'to imprisonment for three mouths, or to both such fine and punishment. Soldiers' Contracts. Part 3 of the Bill is devoted mainly to soldiers' contracts. The provisions apply to a contract /whether it was entered into by the soldier before or after h? became a soldier. Any soldier who is a party to a contract may apnly in a. summary manner to a Stipendiary Magistrate for an order for tlio cancellation, suspension, modification, or extension of that contract pursuant to certain provisions made, and the Magistrate may determine or modify the contract in certain . cases. An appeal shall be to the Supreme Court from an order made by a Magistrate. In certain other contracts protection of f contractors is given where performance ! of the contract is interfered with by re- ! ouirements of the Admiralty or Imperial 'Army, Council. Rent of Houses. The Bill provides for a restriction on an increase of rent. It is now provided that an inspector of faotories may make ; application on behalf, of a tenant for the ' determination, by a : Stipendiary Magistrate of the capital value of a dwellinghouse. Provision is also made for the adjudication of disputes in ' connection with the rent of furnished house*. • Little Proposals. The Bill introduces a Mining Act. amendment making new provisions with Tegard to the security of winding-ropes for the duration of the present war and ; twelve months thereafter. Presumably, ! it has reference to the dearth of new steel since the war began, for it makes provision for splicing cables with inspection of splices by the Government inspector.

The application of the Mortgages Extension Acts is extended to- securities over life insurance policies. " ■ The Bill provides that the Minister of Internal Affairs may require security to be given before issuing a permit to any person about to leare New Zealand.

The Governor-General in Council may take _ possession of land and buildings required during time of war for any public purpose. No Retirements in Wartime. Officers of the police force may be retained in service after the retiring age. Officers in the Government service will not be entitled without leave to retire on superannuation during' the continuance of tlie war. Officers must not be transferred from one Department to another during the continuance of the war without the consent of the Minister in charge of the Department in which such person i 6 employed. 'There may be granted, from time to time war bursaries for educational purposes to children of deceased or disabled members of the Jfew Zealand Expeditionary Forces. War Funds. The definition of "war fund" is extended to empower collecting agencies to receive moneys for any fund "for the acquisition of any sports ground, recreation ground, or park in-commemoration of the services rendered in. the present ■war by His Majesty's naval or military forces, -or any portion of such forces."

Another clause relating to war funds makes it an difence for any person not in possession of a permit granted under this Act to collect moneys for any war fund in any way whatsoever. Permits may be granted by the Mayor of a city or borough and the chairman of a county in which any entertainment or other collecting scheme may be adopted; the president or chairman of a patriotic society controlling a war fund; a superintendent or inspector of police; or any other person' authorised for this purpose by the Minister of Internal Affairs. The penalty for collecting without a permit may be a fine not exceeding .£2O.

War Regulations. There is a somewhat comprehcnsivo clause relating to war regulations in ■which it declared that all regulations hitherto made under the . Regulations Act shall be deemed to bo valid.

Another clause, gives the Government power to make other regulations for the following purposes:—

For prohibiting or restricting enterprises not essential to the public welfare or the registration of companies for the carrying on of such enterprises;

For prohibiting or restricting foreign companies from commencing business iu New Zealand;

For regulating and controlling the delivery of goods in cities or boroughs with the object of saving labour;

For regulating, controlling, and enforcing the labour of alien enemies;

For requiring persons, whether aliens or not, who are not engaged or employed in an essential industry, to become so engaged or employed, or to show cause before a stipendiary magistrate why they should not become so employed; For the conduct of any industry or enterprise that may be considered by the Governor-General essential for tho public welfare;

For authorising the employment of women or girls in any industry in lir-:-of men, notwithstanding anything in any act fo the contrary, if in (he opinion of the Qovcrnor-General-in-Cotmcil such employment of women or girls in lieu of men wili not be a source of danger to tho safety of any persons. '

As a complement to tho section authorising the making of regulations to control the delivery of sowls in cities and boroughs, it is provided that power.? may bo conferred unon city and borough councils to make by-laws to control tho delivery of goods within their areas.