CHANCES TO LAW

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30278, 2 November 1963, Page 14

CHANCES TO LAW

Objection To Suggestion (N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, Oct. 31. The Constitutional Society objected to amendments to the law being made retrospective, said the president, Sir Matthew Oram, tonight. The society was concerned at a suggestion to change laws retrospectively after tiheir validity had been rejected by the courts. It had heard that the Government had intended to authorise sie Napier City Council to permit a motel when the Supreme Court had ruled against it. The Minister of Internal Affairs (Sir Leon Gotz) had been asked if such legislation was contemplated, but there bad been no reply. The society had learned the proposal was to be discussed by the Government caucus and had asked a member of Parliament to state its objections. “It was later learned that the Government would not proceed with the suggested legislation this year,” said Sir Matthew Oram “This does not necessarily mean the idea has been dropped.” The frequent need to amend laws, he said, showed that the full implication of legislation was at times not made clear under the present system of one chamber of Parliament to scrutinise bills, often hastily