A Bill has been introduced into the Lords by the
Lord Chan- cellor, which received the fullest support from Lord Derby, for altering the law in relation to the allegiance and naturalization of British subjects. It proposes that naturalization in a foreign country should imply the renunciation of British nationality, persons already naturalized being allowed to return within two
years to their former allegiance ; the wife's nationality following the husband's, and the nationality of minors following their fathers' while residing with him, but being left to their choice as between their original country and that of their adoption on coming of age. Naturalization is to carry all the privileges of citizenship, including power to take office under the Crown,Iltbut only where naturalization here has been followed by the legal renuncia- tion of citizenship under the foreign power to which the foreigner was previously subject. If naturalized citizens, however, stay away for two years from their adopted country, their letters of naturalization are liable to be (but are not necessarily) cancelled. Foreigners are permitted to acquire and dispose of real and per- sonal property of every description ; but this only applies to the United Kingdom, and leaves the Colonies unfettered. The Bill seemed to give general satisfaction.
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