A—s

501

first of all the case of the English barrister, because it seems to me strange and might naturally appeal to the English Bar. The Colonial barrister has claims also depending on his qualifications. Sir WILLIAM ROBSON : The same thing is applicable to the Irish and Scotch K.C. Mr. DEAKIN : But there is always a distinction; Ido not know that the Irish or Scotch K.C. has been called to your Bar, or that after that he has occupied the position (I take the strongest case 1 can find) of AttorneyGeneral and of Chief Legal Adviser to the Crown. Sir WILLIAM ROBSON: Yes. Take my Right Honourable and learned friend, the Lord Advocate; the Lord Advocate would have to submit to the ordinary professional conditions before he practised at the English Bar. Mr. DEAKIN : Is he not an English barrister '. Sir WILLIAM ROBSON : No. Mr. DEAKIN : The case I am taking is of an English barrister, a man with the right to practise at the English Bar; I put my strongest case first the case of a man fully qualified to practise at the English Bar and who has the right to appear in all the Courts. He goes out to one of the dependencies beyond the seas and receives silk either before or after his elevation to the office of Attorney-General, and in one or two cases I have in mind held the office for some years. They come back to England, and although they are English barristers, practising at the English Bar, who have been His Majesty's advisers over the sea Sir WILLIAM ROBSON : That is really a matter for the personal discretion of the Lord Chancellor, and if the case of a Colonial K.C. who had been Attorney-General and desired to practise at the English Bar were laid before the Lord Chancellor, it would be a case that would appeal strongly to his discretion. Mr. DEAKIN : But even so, the resolution does not bear that out. Whether any cases have been before the present Lord Chancellor or his predecessor I cannot say. Going a step further, let me ask your consideration for the barrister who has not been admitted to the English Bar, but is qualified in the Dominions, as we now call them, provided his qualification is, "speaking broadly, as good as that required by the Inns of Court, who becomes King's Counsel and comes to Great Britain. Should he not be entitled to have his claims heard ? Although I quite admit this is a matter for the personal discretion of the Lord Chancellor, it is one of those cases in which there appears to be a distinction of status drawn between the Colonial and theßritish professional man. Now unless that is based upon some real difference in qualification or upon some definable distinction, it surely ought not to arise, as I have heard that it has arisen, simply because a man who would undoubtedly have received silk if he had been an Englishman, has not received it Sir WILLIAM ROBSON : There is no distinction as between Englishmen and Colonists, none. You may accept my assurance on that point, because

Thirteenth Day. 8 May 1907.

Reciprocity as to Barristers. (Mr. Deakin.)