WESTMINSTER STATUTE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 3, 3 December 1931, Page 7

WESTMINSTER STATUTE

RIGHT OF APPEAL. FREE STATE’S POSITION. MOTION IN THE LORDS. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.— Copyright.) Received December 3, 8.5 a.m. 1 LONDON, Dec. 2. In the House of Lords, during the committee stage of the Statute of Westminster Bill, Lord Danesfort moved a new- clause: “That nothing therein shall affect the right of appeal from the Irish Free State Supreme Court to the Privy Council.” Lord Hailsham said that the clause would not serve those Lord Danesfort was seeking to champion. The real objection to the clause was not only on the Free State’s, but on other Dominions’ ground. The provision would be a derogation and a contradiction of the constitutional position of the Dominions under the Balfour Declaration. The British Parliament had no constitutional right under that declaration to impose limitations and qualifications upon the Free State. Lord Brentford agreed that the clause was not in the best interests of the Empire. Lord Danesfort, in withdrawing the motion, said that he hoped President Cosgrave would hesitate before legislating to abolish the right of appeal. Lord Middleton doubted whether Lord Danesfort represented any strong body of loyalists in the south of Ireland on the subject. President Cosgrave had shown loyalty to the treaty in regard to the interests of the minority, and the acceptance of the amendment w-ould revive the suspicion that Britain wanted to reassert her authority in the south 91 Ireland. Lord Danesfort’s motion was withdrawn and ’ the Bill passed the committee stage.