WAR LEGISLATION

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 38, 8 November 1918, Page 6

WAR LEGISLATION

IMPORTANT PROPOSALS ENEMY ALIENS AND LAND PROTECTION FOR TENANTS The War Legislation Amendment Bili„ introduced by Governor's Message in the House of Representatives yestei'day, deals with the acquisition of land by persons of enemy origin, the restriction of increases of rent, the regulation of trade and commerce and soldiers' wills. Persons of enemy origin are not to ba permitted to acquire land in New Zealand without a license issued by the Min-, ister of Lands. They may not lease land for a period exceeding, two years and may not acquire an option over land without a license. A "pereon of enemy origin" is defined as a person who has at any time been a subject of an enemy State or whose father is, or was at anytime, a subject of ail enemy State, and includes the wife of any such person. Any State with which the King has been at war since August -1, 1914, is an , enemy Slate. ■ <.. Land that has been lawfully acquired by persons of enemy origin since the commencement of the war may. be taken for public purposes at a price to be fixed by arbitration. Machinery is provided for the fixing of the amount of Hon hi'such cases. \ Land acquired by enemy persons in confravehtion of the law may he forfeited. The Supreme Court is empowered to inquire with respect to land acquired by persons of enemy origin. It is to be the duty of land registrars to refuse to register instruments intended to have effect in contravention of the Act. No order for the recovery of a dwellinghouse shall be made against a soldier or a discharged soldier, or the wife or widow of a soldier or discharged soldier, so long as the tenant continues to pav rent at the agreed rate and performs the other conditions of the tenancy,- except ou the ground of bad behaviour. If the tenant is a person other than a soldier or discharged soldier, or. the. . wife or widow of a soldier or discharged soldier, an order for recovery shall not be made except on the ground that tho premises are reasonably required by the f landlord for his own occupation, or ara required by a purchaser for his own occupation, or on any other ground that may bs deemed sufficient by the Court. Some protection is accorded also'to a. tenant who is a dependant of a soldier or discharged soldier. , • Orders made before the passim? ot tne Act, but not yet executed, may lie reviewed by the Court m the light of the I new provisions. . The Government is given power to make regulations for the purpose of securing supplies for the use of the Imperial Government. The Government may make sucli contracts as are deemed necessary for the purchase or acquisition of any goods produced in New Zealand and required, whether during or afttr the piesent war, bj th-. Imperial.Government The Arbitration Court is given .power to amend certain awards or industrial agreements with respect to hours of employment and rates of wages. In making alterations th* Court will take into consideration (1) any alteration in the conditions nffecting tho industry, and (2) any increase in tho cost of living. Any party to an award or agreement may make application for *"»«£- merit, provided that the approval of the members of the union or associationl luu, been obtained in the prescribed mannei. Soldiers' Wills. . The Bill makes it clear, that a member of the forces had the r.gh to dispose of property though he is under the age of. twenty-one years.