NEW LAWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 April 1924, Page 4

NEW LAWS.

OPERATING FROM TUESDAY. The new financial year, which commenced on Tuesday, marks the operation of several new laws, of general interest (says the “Dominion”). Authority is given the Minister of Finance do raise £4,000,000 for railways, rolling stock, telegraph extension, construction, and improvement of roads, irrigation, etc; £3,000,000 for advances to settlers; and £1,500,000 lor advances to workers. Mr Massey has withheld going on to the London maiket, pending the return, of better conditions for borrowing. In regard to the Consolidated Revenue, ho anticipates a surplus of revenue over expenditure in excess of that ol last . year, which was £1,315,683.

The administration of the Highways Act lias not yet proceeded as far as the declaration of main highways, as provided by tlio Act, hut the Alain Highways Board is in communication with district highways councils and the local authorities, and it is anticipated that an Order-in-Couneil will issue shortly, indicating the roads that aro to come under the provisions of the Act.

The Hospitals Act readjusts the system of hospital subsidies. Since its passage last winter it lias been the subject of a good deal of communication between the Government and the hospital hoards, who are now well aware of its principle an dincidenoe. It is understood that the Health Department lias been engaged for some time in considering the regulations governing private hospitals under the new Act. The operation of the Apprentices Act will he watched with interest. The Minister and Che Director of Labour have been at pains to explain the provisions of the Act to employers. For the Act to be the success the Government and the Apprenticeship Committee hoped for there is need for cooperationg among employers and industrial unions to create facilities for the employment of apprentices, and for parents to view with favour the training of youth of both sexes abive seliool age in industrial occupations. Primary industry will benefit directly bv two new laws, under which the income derived from the use of land will be exempted from income tax, and the marketing of dairy produce will be controlled by a hoard appointed mainly by suppliers to dairy factories. Discharged soldiers’ interests are served by two new laws—one creating wluit is known as the economic pension and the other providing for the revaluation of soldiers’ blocks.