Following consideration of a memorandum dated the 9th September, 1948,¹ and accompanying rough draft of a Bill entitled 'Powers and Functions of the President (External Relations) Bill, 1948',² submitted by the Minister for External Affairs, authority was given for the preparation of a draft Bill repealing the Executive Authority (External Relations) Act, 1936, and providing for the exercise and performance by the President of the powers and functions which, in accordance with that Act, are at present capable of being exercised and performed by the King who is recognised by the States of the British Commonwealth of Nations.