Samoan citizenship
Sir,—Mr McLay is reported as saying of the Citizenship Bill that “the legislation would not have the intention or the effect of taking away rights which the Western Samoans previously had.” This is a remarkable statement from the Minister of Justice. My understanding of the Privy Council’s ruling is that these Samoans concerned had, and always had had, New Zealand citizenship. If this is not so what is the purpose of the legislation? Mr McLay went on to speculate whether the Privy Council’s ruling was “legally sound.” Again, rather an amazing question from the Minister of Justice, to question the legality of a ruling by the highest court of the land, it may be acceptable 'for the Minister to speculate whether New Zealand should, as a general principle, accept the jurisdiction of the Privy Council but it is clearly unacceptable for him to question its definitive interpretation of the law—Yours, etc., JIM McGLINN. September 2, 1982.
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Press, 8 September 1982, Page 24
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158Samoan citizenship Press, 8 September 1982, Page 24
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