BONDS OF EMPIRE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 231, 30 September 1942, Page 3

BONDS OF EMPIRE

NEW LORD MAYOR

BILL IN AUSTRALIA

Notice To Ratify Statute

Of Westminster

United Press Association—Copyright Rec. 1 p.m. CANBERRA, this day,

Notice of the introduction of the Statute of Westminster Ratification Bill has been given to members of both Houses in the Australian Parliament. The adoption of the bill would not in any way weaken the link between the Mother Country and Australia.

The Attorney-General, Dr. Evatt, pointed out that the link was now firmer than ever because of the common fight to preserve British and Australian institutions. The indissoluble links between Britain and Australia were common allegiance to the King and the kinship of the peoples. The Parliament of the United Kingdom had no desire to concern itself with matters relating to Australian self-government any more than the Commonwealth would be concerned about matters within the jurisdiction of the British Parliament.

The Australian Natives' Association, supporting the Ratification Bill, has issued a statement suggesting that efforts are being made to cloud the issue by an insinuation that ratification of the bill would lead to disunity within the British Commonwealth.

It adds: "Enactment of the statute is vital for the proper government of Australia, and can have no relationship to the loyalty of our people to England or to any sister Dominion."

ELECTION IN LONDON Rec. 1 p.m. LONDON, Sept. 29. Sir Samuel Joseph has been elected Lord Mayor of London. He is the first Jewish Lord Mayor since 1902. Sir Frank Pollitzer, who is also a Jew, was the second candidate.

Sir Samuel Joseph, who was horn in 18S8. served in the Great War from 1914 to 1019 in Salonika. Egypt and France. He was captain in the Roval Irish Regiment and acted Staff Captain when he was mentioned in dispatches. He was elected to the St. Marylebone Council in 1922 and was Mayor from 1928 to 1930. He was alderman of the ward of Portsoken and Sheriff of the City of London, 1933-34. He is governor of the boards of five of London's famous hospitals, including St. Bartholomew's and Christ's Hospitals, and is aiso a liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Cutlers.