LOYALTY LEAGUE MEETS MINISTER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18971, 21 January 1930, Page 11

LOYALTY LEAGUE MEETS MINISTER.

SUBMITS VIEWS ON COLONIAL LAWS. / Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, January 21. A deputation representing the Loyalty League and the Grand Orange Lodge of New Zealand waited upon the Hon G. W. Forbes this morning to request that the Government would reserve for further discussion_ certain issues which are stated to be included in the agenda of the forthcoming Imperial Conference. The Rev Howard Elliott, speaking on behalf of the Loyalty League, said that the issues about which they are immediately concerned are the right of appeal to the Privy Council, the proposal to cancel the right of the Governor-General to reserve his assent to any Bill, the proposed change in the wording of the Coronation Oath, and the Colonial Laws Validity Act. Mr Elliott requested that the Government would instruct’New Zealand’s representative at the next Imperial Conference that these questions should be reserved for further discussion. Mr George Petherick and Mr Smith supported the request of Air Elliott. Air Forbes said that a report from the experts’ committee on Dominion legislation and the sub-conference on merchant shipping had just been received and at present was confidential. As soon as the document was released and had been considered by Cabinet a statement would be made to the Press Meanwhile, Air Forbes agreed that the matters referred to by the speakers were of the greatest importance and the Government may be depended on to oppose anything affecting the unity of the Empire or Imperial connections