QUEENSLAND LEGISLATION.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16847, 29 May 1920, Page 9

QUEENSLAND LEGISLATION.

—<> PREMIER'S KEJOI2TDEE. (Br Cable —Press Association— CopyTijhk) (Australian and N.Z. Cable •lifisoci&tion.) (Received May 28th. 8 P- m -) LONDON, May 27. The Hon. 12. G. Theodore, Premier o Queensland, interviewed, expressed sui prise that a great authority like M Arthur Berriedale Keith should allege that there had been a breach of con stitutional rules in connexion with til ippointment of a partisan as Acting Governor, the swamping of the Uppe House, and the fact that the Acting Governor had not exercised his right o reserving a Bill because it prejudices the rights of British subjects outsia the State. Mr Theodore said: "If tho .Govern men); has acted unconstitutionally, th point rti'iy easilv be tested.'' He aud ed: "Even Governors invariably hou definite political opinions prior to thei appointment, and therefore they ma, all be classed as political partisans. Til appointment of new members to th Upper House, even to the extent o swamping it, has ,never been considers unconstitutional. _ It has occurred n recent years in New South Wales an< New Zealand." Mr Theodore admitted that the refei endum provided Queensland with _ t means of settling disputes, but it in volved great delay and expense. H did not regard Mr Keith's suggestioi to establish an Imperial Arbitration Tn bunal as practicable, as it involved th reactionary principle of limitatio' of sovereign rights. "It will not fim a solitary supporter in the "Dominions,' said Mr Theodore, "Non-interference i the safest doctrine." [Mr Arthur Berriedale Keith, writinj in connexion with the Queensland La bour enactments, suggested that th ' Judicial Committee of the Privy Conn cil provided the nucleus of an Arbitra ti;}n Council of the highest standing fo impartiality, as it included Dominioi Judges. British investors would benefi by its substitution for the present pre ear-'n'ic possibility o f disallowance o legislation unf irly ffecti g tl-eir ri_ht , ot assurance of ar. impartial deter ! mination of compensation due them ovv . ing to a change in the terms of thei , contracts with oversea Governments.! AN EX-GOVERNOR'S VIEW. (Received May 29tli, 12.5 a.m.) LONDON, May 28. Sir Gerald Strickland, late Governo: of New South A Vales, says Lord Milne; cannot be expected to disallow the Act: of the Queensland Government, but M: Keith's remedy is open to grave objec tioii. The Australian High Court i the proper authority to decide such sub jects. It must be made plain to in * vestors that appeals on local matters ti » the distant Secretary of State an * j futile. The future success of democra -! tic government appears to require tha ■' everv Executive should be liable to som * control. i "My experience in Tasmania, West "! ern Australia, and New South "Wales " shows that although Ministers dislilc it. the electors appreciate the exercisi qf an impartial authority in their be "' half Governors should be able to de j ter Ministers from flagrant breaches o I the Constitution by forcing appeals ti 3 ' the electors on rare occasions." jj - ===