QUEENSLAND’S PREMIER.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 May 1920, Page 4

QUEENSLAND’S PREMIER.

ANSWERS TO CRITICS. v Ly Electric Telegraph—Copyr.-glit.i ' LONDON, May 28. Mr Theodore, the Queensland Premier, in an interview, expressed his surprise that a great authority like Mr Jlerriedale Iveith should allege that the Queensland Government had done unconstitutional things. Keith had made the following assertion: ‘ 1 There was a breach of constitutional rules in connection with the appointment of a Labour partisan as Acting-Governor; with the swamping of the Upper House, and in fact that the Acting-Governor had not exercised the right of reserving the Bill, because it prejudiced the rights of British subjects outside the State. Mr Theodore said: “If the Queensland Government has acted unconstitutionally tiie point may easily be tested.” He added: “Every Governor invariable holds definite political opinions prior to his appointment. Therefore the Governors may all lie classed as political partisans.” u “ The appointment of new members, even to the extent of swamping an Upper House,” he said “ has never been considered unconstitutional. It has oc.1 curved in New South Wales and New Zealand.” . Mr Theodore said he would admit that the Referendum provided Queensland i the means of settling disputes, bit* it involves a great do*"-- and expense. He does not regard Mr Keith’s suggestion‘■•to establish an Imperial Arbitration Tribunal as practicable, as it involves the reactionary principle of the limitation of Sovereign rights. “It will not find a solitary supporter in the Dominions,” said Mr Theodore. “ Non-interference' is the safest doctrine.”

QUEENSLAND PREMIER HONOURED. LONDON, May 29. At the Lord Mayor’s Ixuiquet for Masters of the City Guild at Mansion House, Mr Riddell proposed the health of Mr Theodore, the Queensland Premier. He said he was a brlHant and distinguished Australian. He added that at the Peace Conference, he was so struck with the fact that the most homesick were Australians and New Zealanders. Ho said that if ever ho emigrated .he would go to one of those countries. Overseas representatives at Paris had a direct way of speaking, which was rather novel and not according to the old fashioned European cus- | toms; but they rendered very great ser- [ vice. I