11.—44.

The general question of policy in relation to further requests for additions to the Schedule is at present under review. , . At the present time it is recognized that there is a weakness in the Chattels Transfer Act m that it is possible for unscrupulous dealers to make a profit out of the default of the hirer. Cases have been represented to the Hon. the Minister where a considerable sum has been paid on account of the amount owing and on default being made by the hirer the chattels have been seized and sold and have realized on sale more than the amount owing under the agreement —in other words, the profits have gone into the pockets of the unscrupulous dealer and the hirer has lost everything. Proposals have been formulated to amend section 57 of the Chattels Transfer Act and thus prevent profits being made by dealers when hirers have failed to keep up their payments and the goods are repossessed and subsequently sold. The amendment will be designed solely for the purpose of giving a greater measure of relief to those who, through unfortunate circumstances, are unable to continue their payments under their agreements, and at the same time recognize the hirers' equitable right m chattels that are subject to customary hire-purchase agreements, a factor that does not exist under the law as at present framed. TRADING COUPONS. The Department is charged with the administration of the Trading Coupons Act, 1931. Under the provisions of this Act the redemption of trading coupons otherwise than for cash is an illegal offence. During the year several instances of alleged breaches of the Act were investigated, but in no case was it found necessary for the Department to take a prosecution. MOTION-PICTURE INDUSTRY. During the year the Department has dealt with some twenty-three applications that have been received for additional exhibitors' licenses in various centres. The applications have been subject to the customary departmental inquiries and, in accordance with the procedure observed, referred to a Magistrate for his independent recommendation and report. This, in turn, is furnished to the Hon. the Minister, who adopts the practice of referring all applications to Cabinet for a direction. Of the number of applications received, fifteen were declined and eight granted^ On referring one of the applications to the Solicitor-General for an opinion it was found that the regulations in their then form were ultra vires, and it was therefore necessary to bring down regulations under the Cinematograph Films Act. These regulations incorporated most of the recommendations of the Film Advisory Committee appointed by the Hon. the Minister of Internal Affairs in 1936. The present regulations take care of a certain number of anomalies which existed in the previous regulations, and the same procedure is being observed in connection with the relevant inquiries where applications are received. In this regard it is as well to mention that when it was found the Board of Trade (Cinematograph Films) Regulations were ultra vires the Hon. the Minister met representatives of the industry, both renters and exhibitors, and it was one common desire that the industry should still be licensed and they were in accord with the suggestion of the introduction of regulations under the Cinematograph Films Act incorporating the recommendations of the Advisory Committee appointed, which Committee was representative of the whole industry. NEW ZEALAND CENTENNIAL. 4iready much work of a preliminary nature has been undertaken to carry out the proposals in connection with the commemoration of this important event. The Government last year announced its intention to expend a sum of £250,000 in order to suitably mark the occasion by the erection of permanent memorials, including a national memorial to be erected by the Government, the preparation of a series of historical surveys of the first one hundred years of our national life, and by the holding of suitable celebrations, both national and local, throughout the year 1940. In addition, the Government indicated that it would assist financially by grant and subsidy the project for the holding of an exhibition in Wellington in the centennial year. The company which has been formed to undertake the work of organizing and running the exhibition has accomplished much already. The Government is represented on the directorate of the company by three representatives, one of whom is an officer of this Department. Representative committees have been constituted to give special attention to the many interests concerned and to the work of organizing a venture of this nature. Such committees are as follow : Finance, emergency, space and exhibits, publicity and printing, sports, works, transport, amusements. Plans are well in hand for the erection of the various pavilions, of which that containing the exhibits to be provided by Government Departments will be prominently featured. It is intended to collaborate with the various Departments of State to ensure that the displays from this source will be both practical and educational. Special buildings to accommodate the following sections are to be erected : — (1) New Zealand Secondary Industries Exhibition. (2) Engineering exhibits. (3) Motors and transport exhibits. (4) Provincial Courts (excluding trade exhibits). (5) General exhibits. It is intended to provide outstanding musical and artistic events, through the engagement for the period of the exhibition of a world famous military band, together with orchestral and choral combinations, concert parties, &c. Invitations will be extended and facilities provided for trade and other conferences to be held in the exhibition. Arrangements will also be made for outstanding national and international sporting events of all descriptions, and similarly provision will be made for a large-scale amusement park.

34