16,670.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :--
CO. 885
12 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO
MY LORD.
No. 266.
(CYPRUS.)
LAW OFFICERS to COLONIAL OFFICE.
We were honoured with your Lordship's commands signified in Mr. Meade's
Temple, 19th September 1881. letter of the 1st instant, stating that he was directed by your Lordship to transmit to us a copy of a Despatch from the Officer Administering the Government of Cyprus, raising the question whether the local courts of Cyprus should take cognisance of the Army Discipline and Regulation Act, 1879.
That it appeared to your Lordship that there could be no doubt the Act of 1879 purported to legislate for Cyprus, but that your Lordship felt some difficulty as to whether such legislation was within the competency of the Imperial Parliament, having regard to the terms of the additional article to the Convention of the 4th June 1878, dated the 14th August 1878.
That Mr. Meade was accordingly to request that we would take the papers, which were enclosed, into our consideration, and favour your Lordship with our opinion on the subject.
In obedience to your Lordship's commands we have the honour to
Report
That we are disposed to think that it is not competent for the Imperial Parliament to legislate for Cyprus, having regard to the terms of the additional article to the Con- vention of the 4th June 1878, dated the 14th August 1878. The power thus to legislate
is, at all events, so doubtful that it would not be wise to act on the assumption that it exists.
In order, therefore, to bring matters arising under the Army Discipline and Regu- lation Act within the jurisdiction of the local courts in Cyprus, provision should be made for that purpose, by Order in Council or otherwise, in the manner usual when legislating for Cyprus.
We have, &c.,
(Signed)
The Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley,
&c.
&c.
&c.
HENRY JAMES. FARRER HERSCHELL.
A 12916.-946.
25.-19/84.