42Duties of Special Magistrate or Commissioner

42 Duties of Special Magistrate or Commissioner

The Governor-General may appoint a person as Special Magistrate or Commissioner in relation to the Territory of New Guinea to inquire and report as to:

1 (1) The nationality of any person resident or having property rights or interests in the Territory of New Guinea, and the nationality of the wife or husband of any such person.

(2) The nationality of any deceased person who at the date of death was possessed of property rights or interests in the Territory of New Guinea and the nationality of the widow or widower of any such person.

2 (1) Whether firms or companies registered or carrying on business in the Territory of New Guinea at the date of the coming into force of the Treaty of Peace with Germany are within the provisions of Article 297 of that Treaty.

(2) Whether firms or companies registered or carrying on business in the Territory of New Guinea at the date of the coming into force of the Treaty of Peace with Germany are German nationals within the meaning of these Regulations.

3 Any facts or circumstances which may in his opinion be relevant in relation to the claims of any German national or any class of German nationals to consideration under the proviso to regulation 36 of this Part of these Regulations.

4 Whether any German national has acquired any property rights or interests in the Territory of New Guinea under any general licence issued by or on behalf of the Commonwealth, or any authority thereof, or under any express authority, or with the consent of the Commonwealth or any authority thereof.

5 Whether any German national appearing to be the owner of an estate or interest in land in the Territory of New Guinea is in fact the owner or has any and what interest in the said land.

6 The circumstances or disposition of German nationals in the Territory of New Guinea, and in particular whether any such German national:

(1) is destitute or has a reasonable prospect of being able to support himself and his dependants;

(2) is likely to create disaffection or promote feelings of ill‑will and hostility against the Government of the Territory of New Guinea.

7 Matters incidental to any of the above matters.