THE CONSOLIDATED STATUTES.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 880, 28 July 1910, Page 4

THE CONSOLIDATED STATUTES.

DID THEY ALTER THE LAW? Apparently, high authorities do not even yet agree as to the effects of the consolidation of the laws of New Zealand ivhich was completed a qouple of years ago. Mr.' W. Downie Stewart, of Dnnedin, in arguing a case before the Appeal Court yesterday, submitted that if there was any doubt as to the meaning of a certain section in one of the Consolidated Statutes, it was proper to refer to the corresponding section in the original Act, and interpret the provision as noir in force in accordance therewith. .

The Solicitor-General (Mr. J. W. Salmond) opposed this contention. Mr. Justice "Williams: Is it not the presumption' that it was not intended to alter the law? . , f ' Mr. Salmond: Wa think that the section in question was intentionally altered. Mr. Justice Williams: But, if you look into the history of the consolidation, you will see that it was not intended to make alterations.

Mr. Justice Edwards: The commissioners were authorised to make alterations. Mr. Salmond: Tes, and this is one of them. The case before the Court (which referred to the amalgamation of boroughs) was decided shortly afterwards by their Honours, without giving any ruling upon the point raised by Mr. Stewjrt. .