NEW LAWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 February 1920, Page 6

NEW LAWS.

PENSION IMPROVEMENTS.

PROVISIONS OF FINANCF, ACT. Several important provisions were contamed in the Finaneo Act piisaed last session by Parliament, the most interesting being those relating to widows', miners', and war pensions. By the Act Parliament increased the Miners' phthisis pension from £1 to 30s in the case of married men, and from 15& to £1 in the ease of unmarried men. Pensions for miners' widows were made payable for the whole period of widowhood instead of for two years as.forinerly. The provision for the war bonus was repealed, but it was stipulated that no person should receive a less amount on account of this repeal. The amendment in regard to widows' pensions provided for an increase in the amount for each child from 5a to 7s Cd ft w eß 7s W for the widow herself. Three years' residence in New Zealand on the part of both parents prior to the father's death was substituted for the requirement of ten years' residence on the part of the mother In the case of children born out of New Zealand.

In fulfilment of promises made, the War Pensions Act, 1015, was amended in regard to the provision for wives or widows of disabled or deceased soldiers, so as to include wives married before discharge outside New Zealand, wives married in New Zealand within two years of discharge, or wives married in New Zealand after two vears if the Pensions Board was of the'oplnion that they were entitled to be considered as dependants. The War Pensions Act was also extended to. persons who served in the South African War and their dependants.

Prior to the passing of this Act there was no definite provision for police officers disabled or killed while on duty, linn was remedied by the Act ..ndcr discussion, and police officers were placed on the same footing as members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in the matter of pensions. Local bodies were empowered to erect and maintain war memorials, and payments out of War Expenses Account for the maintenance of discharged soldiers during periods of unemployment were validated. The Governor-General was given power to modify industrial awards or agreements for the purposes of the Repatriation Act, 1918, while another section provided for the temporary extension of the term of office of the Pub. lie feervice Commissioners. Other important sections authorised an increase from £BOO,OOO to £2,000,000 in the amount that may be invested in reserve fund securities, and the prohibition as to the exportation of uncoined rold was removed. The law as it stood before the Posing of this Act fixed the surtax on rnemy goods at BO per cent. It was deemed necessary to give power to modify that under certain conditions such as might arise in the ease of o-oods winch had to be obtained, and therefore the Act altered the provision to read not exceeding 50 per cent,"