CONSTITUTIONAL LAW

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19987, 20 December 1934, Page 11

CONSTITUTIONAL LAW

A CASE OF IMPORTANCE By Telegraph—Press Association AUCKLAND, December 19. A case of importance to the whole Empire was how Mr D. Maughan, a leading Sydney barrister, described the recent hearing before the Privy Council in England of the appeal by the Labour politician, Mr J. T. Lang, regarding the rejection by the Supreme Court of New South Wales of his suit in equity to have the reform of the Upper House in the State Parliament declared ultra vires. Mr Maughan arrived at Auckland by the Rangitata. He is on his way back to Sydney after appearing for the Government of N'w South Wales during the hearing of the appeal. Two years ago Mr Maughan appeared for the Upper House before the Privy Council when Mr Lang attempted to abolish this legislative Chamber without a referndum. More recently Mr Lang had attacked the scheme of the Premier (Mr B. Stevens) for the reform of the Upper House, but in the Supreme Court action judgment was given against him. He thereupon appealed to the Privy Council, his appeal being handled by Mr A. C. Piddington K.C.. while Mr Maughan was briefed for the State Government. After hearing argument the Privy Council disallowed the appeal. “The case is responsible for the declaration of the right of a government to reform the legislative chambers,” Mr Maughan said. “As such it is of great constitutional importance.”