AFTER THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 56, 30 November 1918, Page 12

AFTER THE WAR

WHAT DOES' THE PHRASE MEAN? There have been Acts of the Legislature, commercial treaties, contracts, and provisions made between the Stare and the individual, tho - Imperial authorities and producers, and between man and man that certain arrangements made or agreements arrived at are to terminate at the end of the war, or three, six, or twelve months after the war ends. Now that the guns have ceased on all fronts people and companies interested in wich treaties and' agreements are beginning to ask one another, when does a war actually end? Some folk argue that war ends with the cessation of hostilities, and the public generally, in. New Zealand, as elsewhere, certainly regard the war as ended. But that general understanding is 110!:. perhaps, the soundest argument, to rely upon when it comes to 11 lejrul agreement or statutory provision. Many are naturally 'rehictajit to hflievn- that hostilities can recommence with Germany, but. legally snaking, the war with that nation, or with am- of the other enemy belligerents—Turkey, Bulgaria, and Austria—is not over yet. In each case nn armistice or a provisional surrender to our arms has teen arranged, but the "after the war" period cannot yet !)9 said fo have until official advice is received from the British Government that a peace treaty has been signed, and the Governor-General (as representing the Crown) reads publicly a. proclamation to that effect in such wanner us may bo arranged. There is on the . Statute-book a. war measure to wovent a landlord chnrgiii" more rent than would show him an S per cent, return on the value, of the iirnporty, or raisin!! the rent "ijDve that being paid in July, 1914. ,ln connection with this Act, the tenure clause reads: — "This part of the Act shall remain in force during the continuance of the present war with Germany and for six months thereafter." ■\Thut. is interpreted to moan that the Act shall operate for six months after tlu- date on which (ho. ware treaty (with Germany in this easel is signed.