Firm registration depends on genuineness of the arrangement and the minor's interest, not a bare legal objection.

Registration of a firm cannot be refused on a mere abstract objection that a minor cannot be bound by a promissory note. The authority must first determine whether the partnership and related transfer arrangement were genuine or a tax-evasion device, and whether the assets transferred exceeded the amount stated in the note. If the arrangement is genuine, registration cannot be denied unless there is also a finding that recognition of the arrangement would be detrimental to the minor's interest. The decisive issue is the genuineness and practical effect of the arrangement, not a bare legal objection.

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Issues: Whether the application for registration of the firm could be rejected without a finding that the partnership arrangement dated 1 October 1959 was a mere subterfuge, and whether a transfer arrangement involving a minor could be disregarded without first determining whether it was beneficial to the minor's interest.

Analysis: A contract entered into by a minor imposing obligations on him is void, but an arrangement beneficial to the minor and casting no obligation on him may be enforceable. The Tribunal could not rest its decision solely on the abstract proposition that a minor could not be a contracting party to the promissory note. It was first necessary to determine whether the promissory note and the surrounding arrangement were genuine, whether the assets transferred to the firm exceeded the amount mentioned in the note, and whether the overall arrangement was a device for evasion of tax. If the arrangement was genuine, rejection of registration could not follow unless there was a further finding that recognition of the arrangement would be detrimental to the minor's interest.

Conclusion: The application for registration could not be rejected without a finding that the partnership arrangement was a subterfuge, and if the arrangement was genuine, it could not be rejected unless it was also found to be detrimental to the minor's interest.

Ratio Decidendi: Registration of a firm cannot be denied on a mere abstract legal objection; the authority must first record findings on the genuineness of the arrangement and, where a minor's interest is involved, on whether the arrangement is beneficial or detrimental to that minor.

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