IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10958, 29 April 1907, Page 1

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

(Press Assn.— By Telegraph".— Copyright.) LONDON, April 27. The Conference discussed, but did not adopt, Mr Deakin's motion that* it was desirable to establish an Imperial Court of Appeal. Cape Colony's resolution, affirming the importance of maintaining the appellate jurisdiction of the King-in Council, was carried, as was a resolution submitted by General • Botha and supported by Dr. Jameson, and Mr Moor, affirming the principle of a Court of Appeal for ;.United South Africa. Mr Deakin remarked that the Privy Council was not altogether acceptable m Australia. If one uniform Court was impossible, Australia desired an Orderin;Council, 'giving the colony power to transfer its appeals to the House of Lords if it so wished. This left the other colo^ nies who desired no change free to do as they liked. ' Sir Wilfrid Laurier said the findings of the Privy Council were generally approved m Canada. . Sir Josepji Ward said he was generally satisfied with the existing arrangement, but he.did not object to a uniform Court •of Appeal if it was practicable. He would advise that m colonial Privy Council case a judge, of the Supreme Court of the colony affected should sit with the Judicial Committee without ' taking part m argument or decision, but merely to supply information regarding colonial law. He believed a » New Zealand judge on leave would generally be available when New Zealand made appeals. Lord Lorebum, referring , to Mr Deakin's remarks, argued that it would, be no real advantage to displace, the ' Judicial' Committee. Already experienced colonial judges assisted the Judicial Committee. Lord Loreburn claimed that last year's appeal work, was expeditiously disposed of. He concurred with Sir Joseph Ward's : suggestion, and stated that, \k<s fusion of the House of Lords and the Judicial Committee had not been adequately discussed m the United Kingdom as a practical measure, but Judges, of the Lords and the Appeal Court were already available for service on the Judicial Committee. The Conference then adjourned until Tuesday. ' V-. - •