No Question Of Losing British Nationality

Northern Advocate, 12 November 1947, Page 3

No Question Of Losing British Nationality

WELLINGTON, Wed. (P.A.). —There was no question of New Zealanders being deprived of British nationality as the result of the adoption of the Statute of Westminster, said the Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon, replying to the debate on the second reading of the Statute of Westminster Adoption Bill.

Dr A. M. Finlay (G—North Shore) said adoption of the statute would in no way cut the painter between New Zealand and Britain; on the contrary, it would strengthen our association • The bill would not affect the Trealy of Waitangi in any way at all, although there had been some misunderstanding in the country about that. LIMITING FACTORS

Mr Fraser, replying, said there was no question of New Zealanders bejng deprived of British nationality as the result of adoption of the Statute of Westminster.

There had been a conference in London which was attended by the chief law draughtsman from New Zealand, at which the very intricate question of British citizenship was discussed. As far as he was aware the legislation affecting British citizenship had not yet been introduced in the House of Commons, and in any case the British legislation, would not be binding on New Zealand.

Thera was no substance to the argument that ratification would give the Dominion greater sovereignty, said Dr Finlay.

Sovereignty was a matter of fact, not of laws, and. because of New Zealand's position, size, export economy and other factors, she could not enjoy 100 per cent sovereignty. Another limiting factor was her overseas debt of £150.000. No debtor nation could enjoy 100 per cent sovereignty. as Britain had recently discovered.

If the proposals advanced at the London conference were followed, the result would be to clarify the status of British subjects throughout the Commonwealth.

The bill was read a second time and referred to the Statutes Revision Committee, as were also the New Zealand Constitution Amendment (Request and Consent) Bill and the Diplomatic Privileges Extension Bill. Mr F. W. Doidge (O—Tauranga): Do we now order a wreath for the Legislative Council?

Mr R. M. Algie (O—Remuera) said most of the Opposition, while havingno great enthusiasm for the bill, supported it because the adoption of the statute did no more than give legal expression to wha! had been the factual situation for some years. The Statute of Westminster should be considered quite independently of the future of the Legislative Council and the Privy Council. BRITAIN CONSULTED Mr Algie said he was afraid of one aspect, which was that, if each country of the Commonwealth had the right to send a delegate to every international conference, Russia would demand a similar right in respect of her 16 satellite states. Mr D. M. Rae (O—Parnell) supported the bill, and said the Prime Minister had given an assurance that it was not untimely for New Zealand to ratify the statute, and would not interfere with appeals to the Privy Council.

Mr Fraser replied that the future of the Upper House would shortly be investigated by the special committee of members which had been appointed.