NO JURISDICTION.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 2647, 16 May 1923, Page 5

NO JURISDICTION.

IN ART. O'BRIEN CASE. (LORDS R.EFER APPEAL BACK TO COURT. INDEMNITY BHL PENDING. [By Electric Cable —Copyright] [Aust and N.Z. Cable Association.] (Received Tuesday, 8.5 p.m.) LONDON, May 15. The House of Lords heard argument in the O'Brien appeal. Mr. G. Hastings, for O'Brien, argued directly that as one Court had decided as a matter of law that the detention of the applicant was illegal, there could be no appeal. His client would have been discharged before this if it were not for the fact that the Home Secretary had raised the point. He was unable to get O'Brien back, and the Appeal Court, instead of ordering his discharge, ordered the Home Secretary to make a return writ in order that he Jnight have a further opportunity to produce the body. There could have been no appeal if the Home Secretary icould have produced the body, because the Appeal Court had decided that O'Brien's detention was unlawful, and he would have been released and there could have been no appeal under the Habeas Corpus Act. Their Lordships decided that they had no jurisdiction to hear the appeal. The case therefore, takes it's course before the Appeal Court on Wednesday, when Mr. Bridgeman produces O'Brien. The latter has readhed London. After Cabinet had considered the O.Brien decision, it was announced by the whips that the earlier suggestion Df the introduction of an Indemnity Bill this week had been abandoned. It will be introduced after the recess. It 's understood that Mr. Bridgeman formally tendered his resignation of the Home Secretaryship, but it was not ac'cepted. DEPORTEES MAY BE RELEASED UNLESS THEY ARE CRIMINALS. (Rcacived Tuesday 8.15 p.m.) LONDON, May 14. In the House of Commons, Mr. Ramsay MacDonald. in referring to the O'Brien case, asked what action the Government, was proposed to take with reference to the deportees as a body and the introduction of an Indemnity Bill for Ministers who had made mistakes. Mr. Baldwin replied that the Government was considering its course of action, and the announcement would be made on Tuesday. The " Daily Express " says the Government intends to ask Parliament to sit on Saturday in order to pass an Indemnity Bill before recess. Mr. Bridgeman's resignation is forecasted, as he must accept responsibility, though he acted on the best advice. It is understood the Government favours the. return and release of all deportees unless a criminal charge can be brought against them.