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Statute of Westminster, 1931
The Settler colonies of Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Canadian Colonies were formally given effective independence in 1931.
The Dominions were allowed to have their own parliaments, armed forces and prime-ministers.
- Britain was suffering from the Depression and wanted to spread out the costs of imperial defence
Britain still appointed a High Commissioner as a representative of the monarch with some political powers.
- Australia, New Zealand, and Newfoundland had to ratify the statute
- Newfoundland never did
- Australia and New Zealand did in 1942 and 1947.