AUSTRALIAN AMBITION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 137, 11 June 1903, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN AMBITION.

PROPO3ED FEDERAL HIGH COURT. A BLAP AT THE EKIVY COUNOIL. FEB PRff-s ASuIOOTATIOH. Melbouuke, Jure 9. In tbe House c f R-presentitives, the Attorney-Ganeral, Mr D skip, in moving the second reading of th« Judicia«y Bill, said that it was prac ically the same Bill an was introduced last year. Combined vi'h the Procedure Bill to follow, it wou'd provide the oonopl t) equipment of a Hi£h Court. The object was to create an Australian Court cf Appeal, w icb. would decide finally m tt rs affected by local Jaws, and bo minimi-.e the nucubar of cases sent to the Privy Council, with the attendant delay a and great experg\ Touching these delays and dangers, Mr Deakin said it took the Privy CouDcil from one to five years to <?eil with appeals, the average being twenty one | month*. He instanced the recent New Zealand casi of the Pon'rua trust, to i show the risks of appea'iug to the Privy Council on a question of purely lcoal laws. Tbe to'al cost of tbe High Ocurt is estimated at £30,000 annually. A SIGNIFICANT MOVE. ANTI IMPERIALISTS. Melbourne, June 10. In the House, Mr Deak'n, explaining the Judiciary Bill, paid that the righS of appeal to tbe Privy Council was taken away. There was provided appeal by grace with the consent rf thr. e of the five judges comprim'ng the High Court. He, however, bad no doubt that wi'hio a few years 99 cut of every hundred cases, which now went to the Privy Council; would remain in Australia, and tbe High Court would practically be th* final Court of Appeal. It was intended to draw the b?st judges from all parts cf Australia to form tie Federal B.'i.oh. Mr Deakin mentioned that at the present time the aggregate annual expenditure on tbe administration of justice in all its branches was £1,750,000, The establ'shm nt of tbe High Court would reduce tbe expenditure. Two members spoke in opposition to the Bill, and the debate was then adjourned.