ABOLITION OF COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20987, 25 September 1931, Page 9

ABOLITION OF COUNCIL.

APPEAL TO FINAL COURT. SIR JOHN SIMON BRIEFED. LONDON. Sept. 16. The Premier of New South Wales, Mr. J. T. Lang, is said to have briefed Sir John Simon, with a retainer of at least £IOSO and daily refreshers of £262 each, to plead his case before the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council for the abolition of the Legislative Council of New South Wales. In addition, there will bo the fees of junior counsel. The entire cost will bo paid in sterling. Sir John Simon is England's leading constitutional lawyer. Every effort is being made to expedite the appeal. The hearing is expected about the middle of October. The committee considers that, as other States are affected, it is only right that their representatives should be heard. If by a certain date the defendants do not present their case, which they have not yet done, an ex parte appeal can be heard three months afterwards. The appeal is by the New South Wales Government against the decisions of the State and High Courts that the State Government could not proceed with its bills to abolish the Upper House until the question had been submitted to a referendum of the electors. The legal move was initiated by certain Opposition members of the Legislative Council.