NZ plan to end legal link with Britain

WELLINGTON (Reuter) - The New Zealand government yesterday said it would abolish an important link with the British legal system, and perhaps follow Australia's move towards becoming a republic. But the Prime Minister, Jim Bolger, played down a suggestion by his Foreign Minister that it might also abolish the monarchy: 'It's not an issue the public are excited about in New Zealand.'

Mr Bolger said New Zealand would cut its link to the Privy Council - the highest right of appeal for New Zealanders - 'reasonably soon'. He added: 'It's part of nationhood in the sense of being totally in control of our own judicial system.'