WESTMINSTER STATUTE

Southland Times, Issue 24863, 1 October 1942, Page 5

WESTMINSTER STATUTE

Ratification Measure In Australia (Rec. 7 p.m.) CANBERRA, Sept. 30. Notice of the introduction of the Statute of Westminster Ratification Bill has been given members of both Houses of the Australian Parliament. The adoption of the Bill would not ir' any way weaken the link between the Mother Country and Australia. The Attorney-General, Dr H. V. Evatt, pointed out that the link was now firmer than ever because of the common fight to preserve British and Australian institutions. The indissoluble links between Britain and Australia were the common allegiance to the King and the kinship of the peoples. The Parliament of the United Kingdom had no desire to concern itself with matters concerning Australian selfgovernment any more than the Commonwealth would be concerned with matters within the jurisdiction of the British Parliament. The Australian Natives’ Association, supporting the ratification of the Bill, has issued a statement suggesting that efforts are being made to cloud the issue by an insinuation that ratification of the Bill would lead to disunity within the British Commonwealth. “Enactment of the statute is vital for the proper government of Australia, and can have no relationship to the loyalty of oui' people to England or any sister Dominion,” declared the statement.