25

A.—l

register is to be compiled by the Registrar-General from particulars to be supplied by authorized officers of the Defence Forces, and the register or a certified copy of any entry therein is to be received in any Court of justice as prima facie evidence of the facts recorded therein. Section 19 provides for the extension of the powers of certain companies engaged in the manufacture of dairy-produce without requiring such companies to proceed in the usual way to effect an alteration of their memorandum or articles of association. Section 21 protects the rights (conferred by the Law Practitioners Act, 1908) of solicitors who have left their practices to enable them to enlist with the Expeditionary Force. Section 22 protects the electoral rights of certain members of Parliament during their absence with the Expeditionary Force. Section 28 makes provision for the completion of certain indentures of apprenticeship that may have been interrupted by the enlistment of the apprentice with the Expeditionary Force. Section 32 provides for the appointment of temporary members of the Police Force during the war or within twelve months thereafter, and defines the rights, powers, privileges, and obligations of persons so appointed. Section 33 provides for the prohibition of the use for purposes of trade or business of any word associated with the history of the war, on the ground that the use of such word for any such purpose may be offensive to public sentiment. This section is primarily intended to prohibit the improper use of the word " Anzac." Section 34 (soldiers' wills): This section provides that every will made by a soldier in actual military service within the meaning of section 11 of the Wills Act (7 Will. IV and 1 Vict., c. 26) shall, if sufficient by virtue of that section to dispose of personal estate, be sufficient to dispose of real estate also. This section is deemed to have been in operation since the commencement of the present war, and is made to extend and apply to the wills and estates of all soldiers who have died between that date and the passing of the Act. Section 35 protects the superannuation rights of certain persons in the Education service during their service with an Expeditionary Force, or while out of New Zealand in any other capacity in connection with the war. Sections 36 to 40 modify the provisions of the War Funds Act, 1915. Section 41 provides for the cancellation at, the instance of the Crown of contracts for military supplies in cases where the contractor has committed a wilful breach of the terms of his contract and the supplies have not been in accordance with the specified standard. 1916, No. 14. The Reserves and other Lands Disposal and Public Bodies Empowering Act, 1916.—This Act makes provision for the exchange, sale, reservation, and other disposition of certain reserves, Crown lands, endowments, and other lands. It also validates certain transactions and confers particular powers on certain local authorities and other public bodies. 1916, No. 15. The Parliamentary Elections Postponement Act, 1916.— Section 2 of this Act extends by one year the duration of the present Parliament. Section 3 provides that for the purpose of dividing New Zealand into electoral districts there shall be taken into account the number of men ordinarily resident in New Zealand who may be out of New Zealand with the Expeditionary Force. 1916, No. 16. The Factories Amendment Act, 1916.—This Act obliges the occupiers of factories, on the demand of an Inspector of Factories, to provide sufficient heating-appliances in their factories for the comfort of their employees. 1916, No. 17. The Legislative Amendment Act, 1916.—This Act postpones until the Ist day of January, 1920, the date of the coming into operation of the Legislative Council Act, 1914 (which provides for the election of members of the Legislative Council). 1916, No. 18. The Appropriation Act, 1916. —This Act appropriates and applies certain moneys out of the Public Account and other accounts to the service of the year ending the 31st March, 1917. In addition to the usual provisions contained in the annual Appropriation Act provision is made (a) for the payment to officers employed in the Government Service (including the Education service) of moneys by way of war bonus or grants for special services; (b) for preventing unfair competition by importers of wheat or of flour into New Zealand. Section 32 provides that the Governor may on a recommendation of the Board of Trade, if satisfied that competition on unfair lines is being carried on in New Zealand by importers of wheat or flour, increase the rates of duty payable on the importation of wheat or of flour, but so that the rates shall not exceed the rates at present payable in the Commonwealth of Australia on the importation of wheat or flour into Australia. This section is expressed to remain in operation during the present war with Germany and for six months thereafter. Local and Personal Acts. 1916, No. 1 (Local). The Auckland Harbour Board Empowering Act, 1916.—This Act authorizes the Auckland Harbour Board to borrow a sum not exceeding £150,000 to be applied towards the redemption of a loan raised by the said Board under the Auckland Harbour Boards Empowering Act, 1882. 1916, No. 2 (Local). The Wanganui Borough Council Street Access Empowering Amendment Act, 1916.—This Act amends in various particulars the provisions of the Wanganui Borough Council Street Access Empowering Act, 1913.

4—A. 1.