“IN THE KING’S NAME.”

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 48, 26 February 1913, Page 6

“IN THE KING’S NAME.”

SYDNEY GOVERNMENT HOUSE CASE. Sydney, February 25. In the Government House case, counsel for the Government contended that from the time of Governor Phillip any land taken possession of in the name of the King belonged to the colori'y by virtue of an Act of the Governor of the colony. Even before the passing of the Constitution Act it Avould not have been competent for tho King to take lands from the colony, except through the Governor. The sovereignty of the lands in question arid the proprietorial rights Avere vested in the Governor. If there had been any infringement of these rights by the Imperial Government, it would be a matter for negotiation, not litigation. He also claimed that the Governor, as an Imperial officer, was aware of Avhat the Ministers had done; yeft'fie did notTdisappi •ove. It Avas conceivable that if the acts of his Ministers infringed Imperial rights he would have dismissed them. The Governor Avas responsible to the King; therefore the, nfatter Avas outside the jurisdiction of the Court.