A Standard for Justice

Abstract

This article comprises comments given by Sir Robin Cooke as the invited speaker to the launch of the book A Standard for Justice by Dr Jerome B Elkind and Mr Antony Shaw at a function held at the Students Union Building, Victoria University of Wellington, on 15 April 1986. Sir Robin talks widely about the impact of the 1985 White Paper on a possible New Zealand Bill of Rights and notes that many of the freedoms enjoyed by New Zealand citizens have basically been created and developed by Judges. He describes the authors as having admirable qualities of imagination and vision. Sir Robin concludes by noting the two major differences between the authors’ approach and the White Paper. First, they would incorporate the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Secondly, they would make the Treaty of Waitangi paramount to all other laws except the Bill of Rights itself, and not subject to interpretation or enforcement by the courts.

Keywords: Lord Cooke, Bill of Rights, New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990, 1985 White Paper, Dr Jerome B Elkind, Antony Shaw, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Treaty of Waitangi

JEL Classification: K10