DOMINION STATUS
The Statute of Westminister to some extent lays down and codifies the law which regulates the constitutional relationship of these parts of the British Empire which is known as the British Commmonwealth of Nations.
The Statute of Westminister applies to the Dominions and establishes for them what is called Dominion Status. Our inquiry will be directed to understand the meaning of Dominion Status. Before approaching the subject we must ask.
I. 1. What is a Dominion ?
A Dominion is a colony which is declared to be a Dominion by the Statute of Westminister.
2. What is a Colony ?
A Colony is a British Possession other than U. K. and India.
3. What is a British Possession ?
A British Possession is any part of the British Empire exclusive of the United Kingdom over which the King exercises sovereignty.
4. What is British Empire ?
(British Empire)* denotes the whole of the territories over which the King possesses sovereignty or exercies control akin to sovereignty. It includes therefore all the King’s Dominions, over which he is sovereign, and the protectorates and Protected States whose foreign relations are controlled by the Crown.
It also includes the mandated territories.
II. What is Dominion Status ?
The subject could be better under (stood)* if we compare the system of Government inaugurated by the Statute of Westminister with the system of Government which was in operation before it came into force.
The system which was in operation was known as Responsible Government. We must therefore grasp as a first step the characteristics of Responsible Government.
- Inserted these words are erased in the ms. either on account of being eaten by termites or by afflux of time.