Constitution Needed Only With Second Chamber

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30153, 10 June 1963, Page 13

Constitution Needed Only With Second Chamber

A visiting British legal expert said in Christchurch yesterday he was not unsympathetic to the idea of New Zealand having its own constitution.

The expert. Professor G. W. Keeton, head of the department of laws of the University College, London, added he felt there was no need for a constitution unless the Second Chamber of Parliament was re-introduced He said the two subjects were related. If the Second Chamber was brought back a constitution would be of considerable value, but unless the chamber was re-intro-duced there would be no need for a constitution. Professor Keeton said he had occasionally suggested that the day might come in

Britain when a constitution ntfight be needed. Professor Keeton is in New Zealand giving a series of lectures on legal subjects for the Adult Education Department. His is giving three lectures in Christchurch, covering the legal problems of the Vassal!' tribunal, legal education and the legal profession in England, and the Common Market and the Zollverein.

One of the most important developments in legal education in Britain. Professor Keeton said, had been the very considerable growth of law schools. At his own university, there were six chairs of law, a full-time staff of 25. and a student population of 400. Post-graduate Law Studies A great deal of post-gradu-ate study was being carried out. he said. Many young people were being encouraged to tie in these studies while practising law. Two developments in law subjects were proving very popular—air law and taxation. Air law dealt with the study of law as related to air transport and this was of international importance.

One student at his college ] was currently doing research ‘ on law and outer space. I "He is involved in working! out what sort of principles I govern events likely to happen rn outer space. Such preliminary studies always] have to be carried out when I new developments take I place.” he said. In addition to his work at the University College law department. Professor Keeton is chairman of rhe extramural studies council at the University of London. He said this council was responsible for about a quarter of the nation's adult education i departments and handled a j student population of from I 12 to 14 million. Processor Keeton ateni serves as legal adviser to the ; British Football League, a huge organisation which includes all the major professional teams. Professor Keeton has written several books on famous trials. Before leaving to come to New Zealand, he put the ntnuscript of his latest book into the hands of his publisher. This dealt with the life of Judge Jeffries, a man famous in British legal history

Professor Keeton said :t should be published within the next 12 months. He considered it would have a considerable impact when it appeared as it challenged just about every view held of the judge. After leaving Christchurch.

Professor Keeton, who is accompanied by his wife, will lecture in Dunedin. On June 19 he will leave the Dominion for Britain.