N.Z. LAST TO ADOPT NATIONALITY BILL.

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6677, 2 August 1928, Page 7

N.Z. LAST TO ADOPT NATIONALITY BILL.

EMPIRE CITIZEN SHIP STATUS ...V-' AIM OP ’ IMPERIAL •' ' - XEGISLATON. ' i&fyp: Per Press Association . WELLNGTON, Lost Night. ( - 'The Legislative Council met. at 2.30 to-day. - , „ ■ ' Leave -of ‘ absence for the remainder o£ the ' session was granted the Hon. J. B; Gow on account of his departure for .Canada -with the Empire Parliamentary Delegation. The Hon. G. M. Thomson gave notice to introduce the Education Amendmeat BilL’ ’ Tho Imprest Supply Bill No. 2 was received from the House and put through air stages and passed without discussion. The Captive Birds Shooting Prohibxtion Bill was introduced oh the motion of the Hon. G. M. Thomson and read a first time. It is on the same lines as the Bill previously introduced by the samp. Councillor. V ’ ; ' ' . Replying to a question by Mr. Thomson. Sir Francis Bells said the naval authorities were opposed’ to-the sugges tion thht sonic depth finders be installed on cruisers for marine survey purposes, and that the Chief Fisheries Inspector, had intimated that the apparatus would bo of no immediate advantage in the interest of tho fishing in- ' dustry, British Nationality Bill. Xu moving the second reading of the British- Nationality and Status, of Aliens Bill which declares that certificates of naturalisation* issued in any part of the Empire shall have effect right throughout the Empire, Sir Francis Belf made a lengthy review of v the history iOf the naturalisation law and showed’ how ideas had changed with recent, happenings and said .ho proposed the measure bo referred to tho Statutes Revision Committee. He alluded to two sections which ho said did not appear in the Imperial Act/ one enabling naturalisation in Samoa to bo continued as at present, and-the other in regard to differentiation between classes of subjects. ■ • In other respects tho Kill incorporated tho provisions qf Part 2 of the Imperal Act of 1914 and repealed the existing Now Zealand law. Nothing in tho Bill would affect the provisions of the Immigration Restriction Act of 1908 or provisions relating to electoral rights and distinguishing between classes of British subjects ip relation to such rights. The Bill was framed on the lines of the Act passed by great jurists in the Imperial Parliament, defining for tho first time who was an alien and inviting creation of an Empire status of citizenship, and it was now introduced in Now Zealand at the invitation of Great Britain in order to give that right and privilege.

The Government had been asked to act, in that way in 1923, but did not proceed as it wished to make certain reservations with regard to immigration and electoral rights.

Sjj James Allen said he was entirely in favour of the Bill and added that, better late than never, New Zealand was the last of tho Dominions to introduce the legislation. He contended it should have been proceeded with in 1923.

The debate was adjourned at 4.35 on tho motion of Sir Robert Stout and tho Council rose until to-morrow.