LABOR'S LAWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 May 1920, Page 5

LABOR'S LAWS.

QUEENSLAND LEGISLATION. .. CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received May 28, 8 p.m. London, May 27. Mr, Theodore (Premier of Queensland), interviewed, expressed surprise that a great authority like Mr. Berriedale Keith should allege there was a breach of constitutional rules in connection with the appointment of a partisan as acting-Governor. "If the Government acted unconstitutionally the point may easily be tested," lie added. "Even Governors invariably held definite political opinions prior to appointment. Therefore they may all be classed as political partisans. The appointment of new members, even to the extent of swamping, has never been considered unconstitutional. It has occurred in recent years in New South Wales and New Zealand." Mr. Theodore admitted that the referendum provides Queensland with means of settling disputes, but involves great delay and expense. He does not regard .Mr. Keith's suggestion to establish an Imperial arbitration tribunal as practicable, as it involves a reactionary principle of the limitation of sovereign rights. "It will not find a solitary supporter in the Dominions," said Mr. Theodore. "Non-interference is the safest doctrine."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

Received May 20, 12.f> a.m. London, May 28. Sir Gerald Strickland (late Governor of New South Wales) states that Lord Milner (Secretary for the Colonies) cannot be expected to disallow acts of the Queensland Government, but Mr Keith's remedy is open to grave objection. The Australian High Court is the proper authority to decide such subjects. It must be made plain to investors that appeals on local matters to a distant Secretary of State are futile. The future success of democratic government appears to require that every executive should be liifble to some control.

"My experience in Tasmania, Western < Australia, and New South Wales shows that although Ministers dislike it, electors appreciate the exerci" of impartial authority on their behalf," he adds. "Governors should be able to deter Ministers from flagrant breaches of the constitution, forcing appeals to the electors on rare occasions."—Aus.I NZ, Cable Assn.

fMr. Berriedale Keith, writinfr in connection with the Queensland Labor enactments, suggested that the judicial committee of the Privy Council provided the nucleus of an arbitration council of the highest standing for impartiality. as it included Dominion judges. British investors would benefit bv the substitution for the present precarious possibility of the disallowance of legislation unfairly affecting their rights of an assurance of impartial determination of the compensation due to them owing to a change in the terms of their contracts with overseas governments.]