A WAR MEASURE.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 October 1917, Page 5

A WAR MEASURE.

SOME SWEEPING POWERS. ALIENS AND THE LAND. BELIEF TO SOLDIERS FEOJf CONTRACTS, By Wire.—Our Parliamentary Report ef. Wellington, Last Night. The War Legislation Bill, introduced to-day, contains some important clause?. It deals with the acquisition of land by alien enemies, soldiers' contracts, restriction of rents, and various other matters The Bill provides that, the Supreme' Court may declare forfeited to the Crown any forfeitable estate or interest in land acquired by an alien enemy since the commencement of the,war. The order oi forfeiture may be made either during oi after the war. Lands which on the Intestacy of the owner would vest in au alien enemy but for his nationality, may be vested in the Public Trustee on conditions to be determined by the Gover nor-in-Council. Alien enemies are not to bo allowed to vote at local elections or to become members of local authorities. Aliens may vote re local elections, but may not become members of local bodies. Substantial penalties are provided for a breach of these rules. Another portion of the Bill makes pro> vision for tho relief of soldiers from burdensome contracts. The clauses givt magistrates power to determine or modify soldiers' contracts in cases when these contracts arc considered to -be inequitable, having regard to the obligations of applicant to military service and to the conditions created by the present war. The persons affected may a-ppeal to the Supreme Court. Protection is afforded to contractors where the performance of contract is interfered with by the requirements of the Admiralty or Army Council. The clauses relating to restitution 8f increase of rents provide that inspectors of factories may apply on behalf of tinants to have the capital value of a dweljlinghouso ascertained. Tho rent may . then be adjusted under the War Legislation Act, 1910. Any dispute as to standard rent may be determined by a stipendiary magistrate. Some miscellaneous clauses of the Bill provide that the Minister of Internal Af« fairs may require security to be given before issuing permits to any persons to leave New Zealand. The Government may take possession of , lands or buildings during war time for any public purpose. Officers of the public service are not entitled without leave to retire on superannuation during the continuance of the war.

. A very sweeping clause validates all war regulations and gives Wide poWerj for further regulations. The Government may prohibit the use of labor and capital in any industry or for any purpose declared to be not essential or only partially essential for the public welfare. It may control delivery of goods in order to save labor; rejfulate the labor of alien enemies; require persons not engaged in essential industry |to become engaged, and authorise the employment of women and girls in any capacity in lieu of men. Provision is made for war bursaries for soldiers' children, the allowance not to exceed £3O yearly. A system of permits Is 1 ' to hj« enforced under the Bill is connection with the collection of moneys for war funds