THE PRIVY COUNCIL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19783, 5 March 1927, Page 2

THE PRIVY COUNCIL

A NEW ZEALANDER’S IMPRESSIONS. Some remarks upon the dignity, courtesy, and importance of the Privy Council, before which he recently appeared in England, were made at a Rotary Club luncheon at Wellington by Mr M.- Myers, K.C. The Privy Council, he said, was one of our very important institutions. It was the ultimate Court of Appeal in respect of all litigation from the British Dominions, corresponding to the House of Lords, which was the ultimate Court of Appeal in respect, of matters arising in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The constitution was very much the same as that of the House of Lords. Generally sj.caking, the Bench was composed of a number of Lords. Sometimes there vias a Judge from overseas. The informality of the tribunal was more apparent than real. Their Lordships wore ne’ther wig nor gown, though counsel appeared in the usual garb. The only other informality was that all lhe Judges and counsel were on the same floor level; the judges had no dias, as in an ordinary Court. New Zealand, said Mr Myers, had been developed by British capital, and it roust he a great source of satisfaction to those who furnished money for its development, as well as to merchants and other traders, with big interests in New Zealand, to know that there was a tribunal in Great Britain which was free from any suggestion of local prejudice, bias, or .feeling, before which any litigant might freely lay his grievances. It was the most delightful, most courteous, and most pleasant tribunal anyone could appear before, and the Judges and officials went out of their way to meet the convenience of counsel from overseas. 3 r r Myers said he could not help thinking that there would be changes in the constitution of the Privy Council before long, not the least important of which would be the imposition of a compulsory retiring age. Most of their Lordships were elderly men, some being from 77 to 83 years of age. Nevertheless, they were keen and alert. There was a feeling in London that there should he a compulsory retiring age. and Mr Myers said he felt that if the Priv-jr Council was to remain the ultimate Court of Appeal for the Dominions such a change would come to pass in the next few years. It had been suggested that the Council should become a peripatetic body going on tour to hear cases. The speaker said he hoped that would never come about. He was satisfied it would cost about £50,000 n year, and after all there were very few appeals from Australia and New Zealaand, and apart from other considerations the expense seemed unnecessary.