POLITICAL PARTISANS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10607, 4 June 1920, Page 5

POLITICAL PARTISANS

THE QUEENSLAND O'JXTROYEEST. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, June 2. . ' Db Berriedale Keith, replying to Mr Theodore [Premier of Queensland), qudtes Mr Kohhdii’s views on State Governorships and Upper Houses, and says' he. cannot believe that the Colonial Secretary was aware of these facts when ho accepted Mr Theodore’s nomination. Dr Keith adds that if disallowance of colonial acts is inadmissible, and his suggestion of a Court of Arbitration is also inadmissible because it limits the sovereign rights,, as Mr Theodore claims, then the British invest tor possesses no security and there is nothing to prevent repudiation..-

Dr Keith suggested that the Judi* dial Committee of the Privy Council provide' the nucleus of an arbitration council of the highest standing for impartiality as it includes Dominion judges. British investors would benefit by the substitution of the present possibility ■ of the disallowance of' legislation' unfairly , affecting their rights, and by an assurance of impartial determination of the compensation due to them owing to change ih the terms of-'their contracts with overseas Governments. ... In .his reply , Mr Theodore expressed surprise that a greqt authority like Dr Berriedale Keith should allege that there had been a breach of constitutional rules in connection with the appointment of a partisan as ActingGovernor, the swamping of the upper House, and the fact .that the ActingGovernor had not exercised the right of the reserving a bill because it prejudiced the rights of British subjects outside the-. State. Mr Theodore said: “If the Government acted unconsut.utionaUy the point may easily be testiilb^added: “Even Governors h-ave invariably held definite political opmions prior to their appointment; there’fore they may all bo classed as political partisans. The appointment ot mew members, even to the extent of swampinc has never been considered unconstitutional'. ’»lt has; occurred in.recent years'in'"New South, Wales and New Theodore admitted that the referendum provides Queensland tyrbb ,tho means of settling .disputes, but it involves great delay and expense. Ho does not regard Dr to establish an Imperil? 1 Aibitration Tribunal as practicable, as it involves the reactionary principle ot the tionof sovereign rights. .It! will .-ofin'd a solitary supporter m the Dominions.’’ said Mr Theodore. , Nou-iu-tcrfcreuco is tho safest doctrine.