30 RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT [PART I
differed from those in the case of New South Wales mainly
in that they added the case of divorce Bills to those which
were named as of Imperial interest in the list adopted by the
sister Colony. The provisions are of considerable interest,
both for the fact that they constitute a deliberate and early
attempt to distinguish between local and Imperial affairs,
and because they indicate roughly the lines on which Imperial
control of the Dominion Governments and Parliaments has
been exercised, and those of New South Wales may be
quoted at length. Clause one of the Bill gives legislative
authority to the new Parliament, and then adds provisos,
of which the relevant one runs :—1!
II. The Bills on imperial subjects which may be reserved
for the signification of Her Majesty’s pleasure, or which,
after being assented to by the Governor in Her Majesty’s
name, may be afterwards disallowed by Her Majesty within
the period hereinafter specified. are as follow: = that is
to say,—
1. Bills touching the allegiance of the inhabitants of this
Colony to Her Majesty’s Crown.
2. Bills touching the naturalization of aliens.
3. Bills relating to treaties between the Crown and any
foreign power.
4. Bills relating to political intercourse and communica-
tions between this Colony and any officer of a foreign power
or dependency.
5. Bills relating to the employment, command, and
discipline of Her Majesty’s sea and land forces within this
Colony, and whatever relates to the defence of the Colony
from foreign aggression, including the command of the
municipal militia and marine.
6. Bills relating to the crime of high treason.
III. Whenever any question shall arise as to the right
of the Governor to reserve any Bill for the signification of
Her Majesty’s pleasure thereon, or as to the right of Her
Majesty to disallow any such Bill, the same shall be deter-
mined by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, and
in no other manner, except by the consent of the said
Legislature of New South Wales, and such question shall be
raised by an address to Her Majesty in Her Privy Council
See Parl. Pap., May 14, 1855, p. 4.
