974 THE FEDERATIONS AND THE UNION [PART IV
the Canadian Provinces possess that power in the fullest
degree. The Australian States, as mentioned above, are
still better off, as they can legislate on any matter subject
merely to the possibility of conflict with a Commonwealth
law on the subjects, by no means very numerous, on which
‘he Federal Parliament has legislative power.
Moreover, in all matters of finance the Union Government
possesses another means of control over the provinces. No
appropriation can be made save on the recommendation of
the Administrator, whose warrant is also requisite for any
expenditure,’ and in recommending or issuing warrants it
would appear—though it is not clear—that the Administrator
will act as a Union official. Further, the provincial accounts
are to be audited by an auditor appointed by the Governor
in Council and paid from Union funds, who will be only
removable from office by the Governor-General in Council for
cause assigned, which must be communicated to Parliament
within a week of the removal, or within a week after the
meeting of Parliament if it be not sitting at the date of the
removal. The counter-signature of the auditor shall be
essential for the validity of any warrant issued by the
Administrator for the expenditure of money.2
Though the power of the Union Government over the pro-
vinces is thus to be complete, there is no control reserved to
the Imperial Government. The laws of the provinces will
not be subject to Imperial disallowance, and this point is
one of considerable moment, in view of the fact that the
power of assent or reservation is given not to the Governor-
General, but to the Governor-General in Council? a rule
which prevails in Canada. Now the power of the Provincial
Councils extends to matters which might easily affect vitally
Imperial interests, e.g. legislation differentiating against
British Indians and Japanese or Chinese.# No doubt the
control and administration of matters affecting Asiatics
specially or differentially are vested by s. 147 in the Governor-
General in Council, but that provision, in my opinion, does
* 8. 92 5. 90.
Contrast The Government of South Africa, ii, 153.
a 8G
