DOMINION DISPUTES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 251, 20 September 1933, Page 8

DOMINION DISPUTES

TRIBUNAL FOR ARBITRATION. PROPOSAL AT TORONTO. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—-Copyright.) Received September 20, 9.45 a.m. TORONTO, Sept. 19. ■The advisability of a Commonwealth tribunal to settle disputes of a justiciable character between the Dominions was agreed upon to-day by the Commonwealth Relations Conference. The method by which the body would be set up was not defined, the majority opinion being that the tribunal would be general and accepted by each Dominion voluntarily. The phrase “justiciable character” was applied to the legal interpretation ol' treaties and Commonwealth agreements. It was felt that constitutional matters should continue to be dealt with only by an Imperial Conference. The Commonwealth tribunal would function similarly to the International Court, following in technique the composition of the institution at The Hague. It would simply give an opinion in Empire matters. Some of the delegates thought that Commonwealth disputes would eventually go to the Permanent Court of International Justice. However, public opinion was at present against such a course, therefore, it was expedient to have a Commonwealth Court.