PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
C.O.
Reference :-
885
2 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
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shipping. The Assembly have addressed the Crown, that means may be taken for getting rid of these disabilities. The draft of a des- patch from Mr. Gladstone to Lord Cathcart promises that this shall be done. This is not the proper occasion on which to debate the policy of these concessions. In Canada, they have in effect provided (they were certainly meant to provide) for the freest possible admis- sion of American citizens into all places and privileges. They supply a precedent on which the other colonies will not be slow to insist,
2. Nova Scotia
In the last session of the Provincial Legis- lature, a Bill was introduced for the naturaliza. tion of one Montorani. A technical difficulty arose in proceeding with it. The Assembly requested the Lieutenant-Governor to obtain Her Majesty's assent to the introduction of a similar Bill in their next session. He however observed, that as this Bill had not the restric- tive clauses required by the Acts of William III and George I, the right of the local Legislature to enact it was doubtful. He suggested that some general measure for the naturalization of aliens in all the colonies should be introduced. He was asked to state what measure he meant, but has left that inquiry unanswered. Conse- quently, the Assembly have not yet been told whether they may or may not renew the Bill in favour of Montorani.
3. Mauritius.
The French law did not prohibit the acqui- sition of lands by aliens. But there was a local law which declared every unregistered convey- auce invalid. Sir Lowry Cole, therefore, com- manded the registrar never to register a con. veyance to an alien without the Governor's express authority. The order was equivalent to a change of the law. The validity of that order was, however, disputed. Of course it could not be sustained. But in order to check the growth of the alien population, an Order in
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Council was made in 1842, which introduced, for the future, the English law respecting the acquisition of property by aliens.
Pending this discussion, Lord Glenelg directed the Governor to introduce a local Act for the 'Naturalization of M. Adam. An Act was ac- cordingly passed, which, however, restrained Adam from holding land. The law officers of the Crown reported that the restriction about land might be dispensed with by the Royal authority; but that the local Legislature could not naturalize an alien without expressly dis- qualifying him from holding the offices, and accepting the Royal grants mentioned in the statutes of William III and of George I. Another ordinance was accordingly passed with those disqualifications. It was confirmed. Subsequently many more have been passed, and ten are now waiting decision. ordinances disqualify those in whose favour they are made, from holding offices or Crown grants.
4. Van Diemen's Land.
These
In the year 1834, an Act was made for the Naturalization of Aliens in Van Diemen's Land,
the effect of which is to enable the Lieutenant- Governor to naturalize any alien in pursuance pur-
any
of instructions he may receive for that pose from the Secretary of State; and it ex- pressly authorizes the persons so naturalized to accept grants from the Crown of lands in the island, and to hold offices there, other than the office of an executive or legislative councillor. This Act was confirmed by King William IV, and some persons have been naturalized under it. Yet it is at variance with the opinion maintained in Nova Scotia, and with the opinion maintained by the officers of the Crown in reference to Mauritius.
5. New South Wales.
As far back as the year 1827, Lord Goderich advised the enactment of a law enabling the C