EMPIRE ISSUES

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 21 January 1930, Page 9

EMPIRE ISSUES

CONFERENCE AGENDA. DEPUTATION TO MINISTER. (By Telegraph—Press Association.') WELLINGTON, Jah. 21. A deputation representing the Loyalty League and the Grand Oi’ange Lodge of Netv Zealand waited upon the Hon. G. W. Forties this morning to request that the Government would reserve for further discussion certain issues which are stated to be included in the agenda for the forthcoming Imperial Conference. The Rev. Howard Elliott, speaking on behalf of the Loyalty League, said the issues about which they are immediatey concerned are the right 'of appeal to the Privy Council, the proposal to cancel the right of the Gover-nor-General to reserve his assent to any Bill, and the proposed changes in the wording of the Coronation Oath and the Colonial Laws Validity Act. Mr Elliott requested that the Government would instruct New Zealand’s representative at the next Imperial Conference that these questions should be reserved for further discussion. Mr George Petherick and Mr Smith ''-supported the request of Mr Elliott. Mr Forbes said the report from the - Experts’ Committee on Dominion legislation and the sub-conference on merchant shipping had just been received and at present was confidential. As soon as the document was released and had been considered hv Cabinet a statement would be made to the Press. Meanwhile Mr Forbes agreed that the matters referred to by the speakers were of the greatest importance. He intimated that the Government may be _ depended on to oppose anything affecting the unity of the Empire or Imperial connection.