The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, JULY 24, 1931. AN AMENDED CONSTITUTION.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 July 1931, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, JULY 24, 1931. AN AMENDED CONSTITUTION.

Parliament has been discussing in considerable detail the report of the Imperial Conference of 1930, and considered the passing of a motion moved by the Prime Minister, approving of the Statute of Westminster. Mr Forbes attended the Conference in question and was therefore familiar with tho requirements of the Statute, which he explained at length, and which was debated with such interest by members. The Statute in question was drafted by the Imperial Conference last year as a logical corollary to the decision of tne Imperial Conference of 1926, which affirmed the compete autonomy of the Dominions. According to this famous declaration, Britain and, the Dominions ;ve “equal in status” and; “An no way subordinate one to another, in any aspect of their domestic or external affairs.” This recognition of our political equality with the Motherland naturally implies the necessity for the readjustment of our legislative powers, and the Statute of Westminster is designed to meet the new situation. It is thus an impdrtant piece of legislation though as a matter of fact it will make very little practical difference to our relations with Britain and the rest of the Empire. Up to the present, in accordance with our Imperial traditions, and more speciticinlly in view of the Colonial Laws Validity Act, it has 'been held that tlie Domin ons car not pass laws which conflict with the law of England. As such a restriction, js clearly incompatible with that “equal status” which 'the Dominions now claim, the proposed Statute of Westminster will enact that the ■ Colonial Laws Validity Act of 1865 shall not apply to any subsequent Dominion legislation,-and, tllat no Act of the British Parliament shall be extended as law to any Dominion unless at the request or with.the consent of the Dominion concerned. The effect of all this is to confirm the Dominion in that absolute autonomy which they have come to regard as their inalienable right. The new Statute will not create ” new duties or responsibilities, but will simply register the completion or a further stage in the evolution of

the Empire. But it should be realised that such ’ autonomy as the Dominions now possess does not cany with it com. plete political independence. The Crown still has the power of declaring war, and' when once war is declared, only a Declaration of Independence such as the American colonies issued over a century and a half ago could secure neutrality for the Dominions. The Irish Minister of External Affairs was an exchange points out, in error when he claims that the King has , nothing more to do with the Irish Free State. On the other hand, the new Statute will ordain that the succession to the Throne and the Royal title require tire assent of the Dominions as well as of the British Parliament. The 1 Grown therefore remains as the sign and symbol of our Imperial unity, and that unity will not he imj paired: by the formal recognition of the right that the Dominions have come to recognise as uudefeasibly their own—the right to make their own laws for themselves, New Zealand, we may he sure, will be keen to remain in the closest contact with Great Britain.. Not only is the Homeland the main trading centre'Tor the but New Zealand HaVluVd every reason to maintain the greatest pride and interest in the fortunes of the Motherland which lins done so much for the world at large. Our patriotism- is stirred by the records attached to the international reputation Great Britain enjoys. The Motherland has stood out at all times in European history and enjoys a prestige which is always being added to. The Crown remains a great as-et in the rational welfare, and New Zealand will be proud indeed to be associated as intimately as possible with the nation which occupies so notable a place in world history.