THE PRIVY COUNCIL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20800, 20 August 1929, Page 9

THE PRIVY COUNCIL

# , RIGHT .OF APPEAL THERETO. PROPOSED AMENDMENT. (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) ■ LONDON, August 18. Commenting on the controversy regarding the statement that the Imperial Goveriunent, was ready to permit any dominion to abolish the right of appeal to the Privy Council, official circles here P point out that the matter does not rest solely with the Imperial Government. It is primarily b. matter for each dominion to decide for itself, in conjunction with the Imperial authorities. —Australian Press Association.. A message received from London on August 14 read as follows: The Herald’s political correspondent understands that Britain’s Labour Government is ready to permit any dominion to abolish the right of appeal to the Privy Council if it so desires. This intimation is given following upon the . Irish Free State’s request to forgo the Privy Council as the highest legal tribunal in the Empire. It is likely that this momentous amendment to the Constitution will occur at no distant date. It is learned that the Government feels that all the dominions are thoroughly competent to establish the highest courts of appeal within their own territories and under.their own auspices. " Tt-will be necessary to,.introduce. legislation in the British Parliament Id , amend the Constitution before the change is effected. _ It should he under- . stood that the dominions will in ho way he bound to forgo the Privy Council, which will continue to exist unchanged for any dominion desiring to maintain the right of appeal thereto. Indeed, it is considered that Australia, New Zealand, and Canada will certainly continue to use the Privy Council.