fret the Ofal Journal of the Bolshevist Government in Russia, some specimens of Bolshevist Bills, with, as it states, are of great interest to students of comparative legislation. The official description of he Journal is-A Collection of the Laws and Orders of the Workmen's and Peasants' Government': Ancngst the more interesting "Bills "-there is no evidence that they have yet attained the dignity of laws-are the followig:— (1) The Law of Industrial Insurance (No. 17), which enacts that all insurance contributions shall be paid solely by the masters or entrepreneurs. Another law, however, which socializes all industrial enterprises, raises the question,-Whom does the law mean by the term "master"? Another clause sets forth that in the case of a workman who is unemployed or disabled, he shall have the right at least to get full pay during his period of unemployment or disablement. (2) A Law regulating the La Courts (No. 15), enacts (a) that all Law Courts shall be abolished, (b) that Justice of Peace Courts shall be abolished, and (c) that there shall be no legal profession or public prosecutors." Instead of these abolished Courts of Law there are established Local Tribunals and Courts without judicial knowledge and chosen by popular election. It is set forth generally that they are to be guided by previous laws "as far as they have not been abrogated by the Revolution and as they are not inconsistent with the Revolutionary conscience and the Revolutionary idea of laws." This is vague; but an important step towards defining these rather vague requirements is taken when it is laid down that all laws are abolished “which contravene the decree of the Soviets or the party programme of the Minimalist Social Democratic Party and the Social Revolutionary Party." (3) A Law on Foreign Trade (No. 55) forbids all private commercial transactions of the Russian Mercantile Marine which involve buying from or selling to foreigners. Any such transactions of a date later than 19th July, 1914, are by the law declared null and void. (4) A Law on Nationalization of Banks (No. 150) enacts (a) that in the interest of the people all banking business is declared a State monopoly; (b) that all existing private banks are amalgamated with the State banks, and all debt and credit balances of these liquidated institutions are transferred to the said State banks. In the interregnum these private banks are to be conducted by the Soviet of State Banks. (5) A Law on Real Property (No. 154).-Beginning from 18th December, 1917, all private transactions (buying and selling) in real property are forbidden. Any offence in this respect is punishable by confiscation of property. (NB-Compare this with another clause which sets forth that land property is abolished without compensation.) (6) A Law on the Stock Exchange (No. 185) enacts that all speculations or other dealings involving stocks and shares are forbidden, and the payment of interest and dividends to private persons are absolutely stopped. The Canada Law Journal for Aug.-Sept., contains a comprehensive Article on Compensation for Injuries to Canadian Workmen. The Article includes a summary of the historical development leading up to the passing of compensation legislation, an analysis of Acts in force in the various provinces and a review of the actual operation of the Acts in force. The author's name is not given, but we may, perhaps, conjecture Mr. C. B. Labatt. The Article seems to be a valuable piece of comparative study. The Central Law Journal for September 27th contains an Article on The Duration of the War-Legal Effects of the Phrase, by Donald Mackay, of Glasgow, Scotland, an essential matter for our reconstruction administration,'-in which he discusses the report of the Committee of Judges and King's counsel appointed to enquire into the meaning of that and cognate expressions. As to the meaning of "the war" or "the present war" the Committee note that the actual belligerents have varied, but they think'that the war would be held to continue as long as this country, whether with or without her present allies, or any of them, was at war with the present enemy powers or any of them, or any other enemy power who became such as a direct result of such war during the continuance of it.' As to what is meant by "the end of the war," the Committee assume that the war will be ended by a treaty or treaties of peace; but before the final stage is reached there will be successive steps-agreements for armistice, cessation of hostilities, articles of peace, agreement of terms, signature, ratification, and exchange or deposit of ratification. But they say: "In our opinion, speaking of the legislation generally, the war cannot be said to end until peace is finally and irrevocably obtained; and that point of time cannot be earlier than the date VOL. XXXVIII. C.L.T.-47a when the treaty of peace is finally binding on the respective belligerent parties, and that is the date when ratifications are exchanged." There is also an Article giving American authorities upon The Right to Vote a Fractional Share of Stock, by Fred. H. Peterson, of Seattle, Wash. The Central Law Journal for October 4th has a very long Article by Webster A. Mercher, of Philadelphia, on Dates and Signatures, giving the American authorities on the law of documents in these matters. We have also received Bench and Bar for September; West Publishing Co.'s Docket (St. Paul, Minn.) No. 41; The Insurance Law Journal for September; Legal News Items (Lawyer's Co-operative Publishing Co., Rochester, N.Y.); for October 15th, Scots Law Times, of September 7th; and the recent issue of our exchanges from British India, The Madras Law Journal, whose number for July contains a long Article on The Law of Wagering Contracts: A Study of Interpretation, by K. C. Gopaladesikan, B.A., M.L.; The Calcutta Law Journal, which flatters us in its number for July 1st by reprinting the Article of Mr. C. A. Stevens, of Moncton, N.B., published in our issue for last February; and The Criminal Law Reporter (Parvatipuram). CORRESPONDENCE. AN APPROACHING BICENTENARY. The Editor, Canadian Law Times: SIR, I desire to direct the attention of your readers to the fact that within the next three years will occur the bicentenary of the establishment of the first Court of Judicature, administering the English common law, within what is now the Dominion of Canada. The story of the erection of the Court is best told in the following extracts from the official record (see Nova Scotia Archives, vol. 3, pp. 28, 29): "At a Council held at his Excelly's house in his Majesty's Garrison of Annapolis Royall upon Wednesday, the 19th April, 1721. Present: His Excellency Richard Phillips Esqe. Governor His Excellency acquainted the Board that he had called them together to consider of establishing a Court of Judicature to be held for this Province; that one Article of his Instructions is to make the lawes of Virginia a rule or pattern for this Government where they can be applicable to the present circumstances. That by the lawes of Virginia the Governor and Council were the Supreme Court of Judicature; called by the name of the General Court, which was fully advised on. Voted. That it would be for his Majesty's service, as well as very much for the satisfaction of the Inhabitants of this Province (under the present circumstances of affaires). That such a Court be held by the Governor and Council as often as it shall be thought necessary. Order'd: That some minutes relateing to such Court be drawne up by the Secretary in order to be lay'd before the Board at Ten a Clock to morrow to which time the Board is adjourn'd. On Thusday 20th of April, 1721: Mett at the same time and place according to adjournment. The same persons present and Wm. Shirreff, Esqe. "The Secretary according to yesterday Order of Council, deliver'd in some minutes, for his Excellency and Council's approbation-which were read and approued of and is as follows, viz.: Whereas under the present difficult circumstances of Affaires of this Province, no regular Court of Judicature according to law, can be as yet held here for said Province but by his Majesty, Governor in Council, and the dayly cry here is for Justice by many of the inhabitants and residents of this Province, by Memorialls, Petition and Complaints to his Excellency the Governor, who at this time being loaded with more than common weight of Government, has not time and leisure to consider fully of the same without the assistance of Council, and being directed by his Instructions to make the lawes of Virginia the rule and pattern for this Government (where they are applicable to the present circumstances) until such time as the Government shall be settled upon a sure foundation according to the Lawes of Great Brittain, &c.: "Which matters haueing been fully advised, debated and considered on. Agreed and Order'd: That for the reasons aforesd His Excellency the Governor and Members of his Majesty's Council for this Province hold and keep a Court of Judicature for said Province annually at the respective times and place here mentioned, vizt: at Annapolis royal upon the first Tuesday in May, August, November and February yearly and in every yeare from time to time. Which Court to have the same Style and Cognizance of all matters and pleas brought before them and power to giue Judgment and award. Execution thereupon, by the same manner and proceedings as the General Court so called of Governor and Council has in Virginia, and practices at this time. Voted that his Excellency be desired to put out a proclamation relateing to the time, and place where the aforesd Court be held and the manner of the Court, and that as soon as may be." Very shortly after the Court was established, His Excellency Governor Phillips reported his action to the Secretary of State (Nova Scotia Archives, vol. 2, p. 76); and in the course of his letter observed: "The notion that martial law alone prevails here, hinders settlers from coming into the country." It seems to me that the two hundredth anniversary of so important an event in the public history of our country should not be allowed to pass unnoticed by those interested in that system of law, the administration of which in this country had its beginning in 1721 in the town of Annapolis Royal. Why can not the profession call upon the Canadian Bar Association to take steps to celebrate the event in a manner |