WAR REGULATIONS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 311, 9 October 1915, Page 2

WAR REGULATIONS.

MILITARY SUPPLIES.

PROVISION FOR REQUISITION.

A Bill to amend the War Regulations Act in several important particulars has been introduced into the House.

It provides that the Minister for Defence may by notice in writing demand on behalf of His Majesty any military supples from the owner or occupier of any factory or workshop which is adapted or which by reasonable expenditure be adapted for the I manufacture or production of the military supplies so demanded. The delivery of such a requisition, says the Bill, shall be d'OCmed to constitute a contract between the Crown and the owner of occupier of the factory who shall be bound to manufacture cr produce and sell and deliver to the Minister for Defence the military supplies demanded in accordance in all respects with the tenor of the requisition. In default of agreement between the seller ad the Minister the price to be paid shall be determined by the arbitration of a judge of the Supreme Court by a method of procedure which may be fixed by regulations. Every owner or occupier of a factory or workshop who wilfully refuses or fails to perform his obligations under such a requisition, and every person who wilfully counsels, v procures, aids, abets, or incites any such owner or occupier so to refuse or fail to fulfil his obligations or who wilfully prevents or obstructs the fulfilment of such obligations shall be severely liable on summary conviction to a fine not. exceeding £2OO. If the owner or occupier fails to fulfil the obligations imposed flupon him, the Minister for Defence may take possession of the factory or workshop and may use the same as the ag nt of the owner or occupier for the purpose of manufacturing or producing the military supplies specified in the requisition. The Bill contains no provl-

sion for the payment of compensntior for tlie seizure of a factory. Any person Avho wilfully obstructs the Minister for Defence or any servant of tlie Crown in the exoredse of the right to tni?o. possession of a factory sha!>! be deemed to he guilty of an offence tmder the War Begulations Act. 7'

owner or occupier of a factory who by reason of having- his products requisitioned may be unable to fulfil contracts with other persons shall be entitled to plead the requisition as a cTefence to any claim made against him for breach of contract. No requisition shall have the effect of cancelling or altering any contract made between the Crown and the owner or occupier of the factory or workshop prior to the making of the requisition. An amendment to the principal Act is proposed to make the maximum penaSty for a breach of the regulations imprisonment for 12 months for all persons whether British or alien. Hitherto the maximum penalties were 12 months for an alien and three month? for any otlmr person. ,