I move the Second Reading of this Bill, which has two very simple objects. The first object is to give diplomatic and consular persons serving for us abroad power to administer oaths, to take affidavits, and to do notarial acts. There is a complementary liability under a section of the Bill which makes deponents who take oaths before these persons subject in certain circumstances to charges of perjury. The second object of the Bill is almost complementary to the first— that the depositions and signatures of these people shall be received in evidence in courts without either proof of their status or of anything pertaining to their official character.
Public Business. - Commissioner for Oaths (Diplomatic and Consular) Bill, 1931—Second Stage.
Were these powers not possessed by these consuls before? Were such powers not conferred upon them as the result of previous enactments taken over under the Adaptation of Enactments Act?
It is very difficult to say whether they were or not. There has been no great embarrassment caused, because there have been ways of getting these matters attended to through notaries in the different countries. With the volume of business falling to these offices now, it becomes necessary that it should be put beyond any doubt that the persons concerned posses these powers.
Question put and agreed to.
Committee Stage fixed for Friday.