LAWS OF NATIONALITY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16962, 23 September 1918, Page 4

LAWS OF NATIONALITY.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT MADE. [by telegraph.—press association.] WELLINGTON, Sunday. Interesting information on the laws of nationality is supplied by the Department of Internal Affairs, in reply to questions by a newspaper correspondent. According to English law, a person is a natural born British subject who is born within the King's allegiance, i.e., within any portion of the British dominions, irrespective of the father's nationality. Under the British Nationality and Status of Aliens Act, 1914, a child born abroad of a natural born British subject is also a natural born British subject, but the child of a naturalised British subject is not a British subject unless born in British territory. The law of foreign countries varies, but in general it may. be said that a person takes his nationality from his lather, irrespective of birthplace. The American law follows the English. A child of Australian parents, born and brought up in America, possesses double nationality. He is British by virtue of his father being a natural born British subject, and an American citizen through being bom on American soil, while in American territory he could not, as against the American Government, claim to be a British subject, and vice versa. The English law, however, allows him on -reaching 21 years of age, to make a declaration cf allegiance. On making such a declaration he would cease to be a British subject.