BRITISH NATIONALITY

Hokitika Guardian, 12 November 1930, Page 3

BRITISH NATIONALITY

STATUS TO BE AGREED ON. (Official Wireless). RUGBY, Nov. 10. On the subject of nationality, the report of the Conference on the Operation of Dominion Legislation has been carefully studied, and it is anticipated that the Imperial Conieroneo will affirm these sections. Ca-n----iicl I and South Africa have already passe' l Acts defining the terms ‘•nationals” both for national and international purposes, and the sections in ci cution recognise that it is desirable that the Dominions generally should define their own nationals.”

The report also took note of the fact that the members of the British Commonweiiilth acre united by com-* moil allegiance to the Crown, which is the .-basis of the common status possessed by all of the subjects of Hf* Majesty, and that the common status recognised {throughout ithe British GomnKonwealltli in recent years, has been given a statutory basis through the operation of the British Nationality and Status of Aliens Act of 1914. 'plie sections of the report on this subject are likely to he confirmed by the Imperial Conference. These require that, if any change is desired in the existing requirements of common status, reciprocal action will he necessary to Attain this, and that no member of the British Commonwealth should, or would, contemplate seeking to confer on any person a status to he operative throughout the British Commonwealth save in pursuance of 1-eg-islaton based upon a common agreement.

In regard to the nationality of married- women, the heads of the delegations have examined*'Sections 8 to fO of The Hague Conference Report, and it is believed that they are prepared to recommend that the Governments within the British Commonwealth carry out these recommendations. But there appears to he a disinclination to proceed beyond Ibis in view of the recommendations of last year’s Conference. VETO QUESTION. It e-'oms probable that tlio present Imperial Conference will he recommended by the Heads to approve of proposals regarding the right of the Crown to disallow and reserve Dominion legislation, and that the Government of the United Kingdom will ask Parliament to pass the. necessary legislation to effect tliis. and to repeal the Colonial Laws Validitv Act.