223

A—s

CHAIRMAN : Then we take out those words. The LORD CHANCELLOR : That ends all I have to say, except that there was a reference to the fee of the Privy Council Office. The fees ordinarily chargeable to a successful appellant and respondent are about 1 1 and 13/. respectively, and to an unsuccessful appellant and respondent 4Z. and 3/. respectively. It has not been suggested before that the fees are too high. We have not received any suggestions of that kind. We will look into it. The suggestion came from Newfoundland. Sir ROBERT BOND : I was putting forward the views that were expressed by the Justices of the Supreme Court of Newfoundland. The LORD CHANCELLOR : I think that is all I need say, except this : that the Privy Council is very conscious of its responsibilities, I can assure you, and is proud of being-able to sit as His Majesty's Court for the different parts of His Majesty's Dominions. Mr. DEAKIN : Do I understand you to take exception to the resolution of which the Commonwealth has given notice, that it is desirable to establish an Imperial Court of Appeal i The LORD CHANCELLOR: I think it is asking us in the Unit d Kingdom to adopt a resolution which has not been in the least considered in this country, and I think myself it is premature. Ido not want to speak hostilely to it. Dr. dAMESON : You used the word " aspiration." Would not we pass it in that form, that it is a fair aspiration '. The LORD CHANCELLOR : I think our people would be rather surprised and startled, remembering that this is a new subject to us altogether, if we were to commit ourselves to the idea of an Imperial Court of Appeal, which means one court for the whole of the British Dominions, and a reconstruction of the House of Lords and the Privy Council. Sir WILFRID LAURIER: The adoption of your resolution, Dr. Jameson, commits those who are here present, and the Officers of the Crown, to an inquiry into the present constitution of the Privy Council. It is a very ancient tribunal. This resolution has some very good words in it —that there are anachronisms and anomalies. There are many things which I think can be eliminated. If the Privy Council is reconstructed that is practically the court. It does not matter by what name it goes. At present, this resolution being adopted we must have a report, as I understand, from the Officers of the Crown with a view to carrying out the suggestion. Then we can see if we should go further. At present lam quite satisfied in adopting this resolution. Dr. JAMESON : And after this investigation, the result of it taking place on the part of His Majesty's Government will be such a suitable court that it will be suitable for the United Kingdom also. Therefore, I cannot see why we should not pass the Commonwealth resolution as our aspiration of the one which will be created out of the Privy Council.

Seventh Day. 26 April UMI7.

Imperial CbUBI op Appeal.