Command of the naval and military forces.
68. The command in chief281 of the naval and military forces of the Commonwealth is vested in the Governor-General as the Queen's representative.
CANADA.—The Command-in-Chief of the Land and Naval Militia, and of all Naval and Military Forces, of and in Canada, is hereby declared to continue and be vested in the Queen.—B.N.A. Act, 1867, sec. 15.HISTORICAL NOTE.—Clause 9 of Chap. II. of the Bill of 1891 was in almost identical words, as was also the clause adopted at Adelaide. Compare Volunteer Act, 1867 (N.S.W.), sec. 4.
At Melbourne, Dr. Cockburn (for Mr. Deakin) moved to substitute “acting under the advice of the Executive Council” for “as the Queen's Representative.” A debate upon the exercise of prerogative powers followed, and the amendment was negatived. (Conv. Deb., Melb., pp. 2249–64.) Drafting amendments were made before the first report and after the fourth report.