STATUTES AMENDMENT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 22 October 1942, Page 3

STATUTES AMENDMENT

35 CLAUSES ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS (From Our Own Parliamentary Reportcri Wellington, Oct. 21. The period during which action can be taken against members of the defence forces under the Defence Act is extended from three to six months by a clause in the Statutes Amendment Bill introduced into the House of Re- i presentatives. The Bill, which contains ; 35 clauses dealing with various sub- j jects was read a second time, pro for- | ma, and referred to the Statutes Re- j vision Committee. In an explanatory memorandum to a , clause modifying the qualifications for ; admission as a barrister, it is stated j that the University authorities and the ‘ Law Society desire to reduce the j course of study for the solicitor's ex- i animation from five years to three years. However, it is considered by the bodies referred to that persons who j qualify under the shorter course should : not be admitted as barristers without j further studies. Greater power; are given lo Magis-j trates to deal with indictable offences ' under the Marriage Act and for false | statements under the Births and Deaths ' Registration Act. Under these Acts a ' person is liable to a maximum penalty ; of two years’ imprisonment, and must be tried on indictment before a jury. It [ is considered that many of the cases | could properly be tried before a Mag- ; istrate alone, and Magistrates are given authority in the Bill to adopt this course if they think it expedient and with the consent of counsel. The Bill makes it an offence, punishable by a fine of £2O. for any unqualified person lo test the sight of another and then sell spectacles to that person. An Industrial Efficiency Appeal Authority is to be set up to deal with appeals under the Industrial Efficiency Act. The authority is to have the powers ot a commission of inquiry and will determine appeals from the decisions of the Bureau of Industry. The appointment of representatives of the State Advances Corporation find i the New Zealand Returned Services' ; Association to the Land Settlement j Board is authorised. The R.S.A. re- ; presentative will sit only wlVn matters j affecting the interests of discharged servicemen are under consideration. FIRE BOAR!) ELECTIONS The date for the next elections and appointments of members of fire boards is altered from May. 1943. to June. 1944. Subsequent elections and appointments are to take place in the i same month every third year thereaf- | ter. thus bringing fire boards into line j with other local bodies whose members ; have triennial periods of office. Representation on the New Zealand I Meat Producers’ Board of producers I engaged in the dairy industry is given. | The Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) ex-! plained that this had been agreed to | unanimously by the Meat Board and the Dairy Board.

Friendly societies are empowered to ' make loans to members on the security L of life insurance policies. An amendment is made to the Work- i ers’ Compensation Act to provide tor]} the loss of sight by a person who had < only one eye to be treated on a 100 per I . cent, assessment basis. «■