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HALIFAX DISASTER RECORD OFFICE
ARCHIBALD MACMECHAN, F.R.S.C.
DIRECTOR
HALIFAX, N.S.

From 'Morning Chronicle', April 26, 1918.

[Newspaper clipping]
RELIEF COMMISSION BILL PASSED BY THE HOUSE
Amendments Made Regarding Town Planning, Compensation and Other Features -- "Company Stores" Controversy Was Settled and Payment of Wages Must Be Made in Cash After October Next.
"Bill 81-82 An Act to Incorporate the Halifax Relief Commission, was passed with amendments, in the House of Assembly at last evening's session, and was sent to the Legislative Council for approval. The Bill as amended, while not emasculated, contains at least some of the safeguards which were urged by the citizens of Halifax. Mr. Finn stated that as to other clauses which had not been amended, he had accepted the assurance of the Commission, and any outstanding grievances or disregard of the general policy of consultation with the technical officers of the City of Halifax could be dealt with at the next session. He felt, however, from the assurance of the Chairman of the Relief Commission to the Committee on Law Amendments that there would be an absolutely bona fide endeavor to meet the fair and reasonable aspirations not only of the City, but of the sufferers in the devastated area.
The proposed amendment in reference to the expropriation, locating, widening and making of new streets, the diversion of sewage and all water mains and all matters in which the Public Works Department of the City of Halifax would exercise an authority was not dealt with by a specific amendment as Mr. Rogers, Chairman of the Commission, had stated that with reference to the foregoing matters, the civic authorities and technical officers would be consulted.
Town Planning Amendment.
The comprehensive scheme of town planning was subjected to the approval of the Commissioners of Works and Mines under an amendment proposed by Mr. Finn, after plans were filed under the provisions of the Town Planning Act of 1915. Amendments were inserted in the Bill to restrict the operations of the Commission to the devastated area.
The section in reference to taking workmen injured, or the dependent of those killed in the disaster from under the Workmen's Compensation Act, on the assumption of the Relief Commission was amended. The section now provides that if any person after 10th June, 1918 was entitled to the benefits of the Workmen's Compensation Act, does not receive compensation from the Commission at least equivalent to that which such person would have been entitled to under the Compensation Act; then this section shall not apply in such case except to the extent of compensation received by such person.
With reference to Section 28 an important amendment is made in the Bill. This provides that any special tax, rate, or levy or assessment, or license fee shall not be levied, rated or assessed or charged or acquired from any workman engaged in construction work for the Halifax Relief Commission.


PUBLIC ARCHIVES OF NOVA SCOTIA
HALIFAX

MG 1 volume 2124 number 105