2
or importers by virtue of the stipulations in that behalf both in the bonds entered into by the importers and the contracts made between the employers or their agents and the labourers, but it might be well to legislate for this expressly.
17603
The Right Honourable
The Earl of Elgin, K.G.,
&c.. &c.. &o.
We have, &c.,
JOHN L. WALTON. W. S. ROBSON.
No. 71.
(NEW ZEALAND.)
MY LORD,
LAW OFFICERS to COLONIAL OFFICE. [Proposed Change of the Title of the Colony.]
Royal Courts of Justice,
May 17, 1907. We were honoured by your Lordship's commands signified to us by Mr. Bertram Cox in his letter of the 14th instant, stating that he was directed by your Lordship to inform us that the Prime Minister of New Zealand had expressed the desire that the title of New Zealand should be changed from that of the "Colony" of New Zealand to that of the "Dominion " of New Zealand.
That your Lordship before considering the question further was anxious to be informed as to the legal steps necessary for this purpose.
That New Zealand was separated from New South Wales by Letters Patent, dated the 16th November, 1840, and was named the Colony of New Zealand in that instrument. That the Letters Patent were issued in pursuance of the powers given by the Imperial Act 3 and 4 Vict. c. 62, and that New Zealand had been described as a Colony in various Acts of the Imperial Parliament since that date, for example, in 15 and 16 Vict. c. 72, 20 and 21 Vict. c. 53, and 26 Vict. c. 23, though in other Acts it had been described as the "New Zealand Islands" (9 and 10 Vict. c. 103) and "the islands of New Zealand (11 Vict. c. 5).
"
That the only precedent which appeared to bear upon this question was that of the alteration of the name of the State of Tasmania in the Commonwealth of Australia which was formerly known as Van Diemen's Land. That on the advice of the Law Officers of the Crown (Cockburn, A.-G., and Bethell, S.-G.), the name was changed to Tasmania by Order in Council followed by Royal Proclamation.
That he was to request us to take these matters into our consideration, and to report:-
(1) Whether an Act of Parliament was required to change the title of New Zealand from" the Colony of New Zealand" to the Dominion of New Zealand"?
(2) If not, what means should be adopted?
(3) Generally.
We have taken the matter into our consideration, and in obedience to your Lordship's commands, have the honour to
Report-
That (1) in our opinion an Act of Parliament is not required for the desired purpose.
(2) We think that the purpose should be carried out by means of an Order in Council and a Proclamation preceded by an address or petition to His Majesty. from the Legislature of New Zealand praying that the title of New Zealand should be changed from that of the "Colony" of New Zealand to that of the Dominion of New Zealand.
We have, &c.,
JOHN L. WALTON. W. S. ROBSON.
11
The Right Honourable
The Earl of Elgin, K.G.,
&c.. &c.,
&c.
25 Wt 97 607
D&S
3 28897
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
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