The Dominion THURSDAY, JUNE 21, 1917 A NOTABLE APPOINTMENT

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3116, 21 June 1917, Page 4

The Dominion THURSDAY, JUNE 21, 1917 A NOTABLE APPOINTMENT

I Drawing all the distinctions that j aro necessary between the present informal arrangements and the for- , mal constitutional amendments } which will no doubt have to be earned out later, it certainly promises well for tho future- unity of the Empire that the British Government has shown itself no t merely ready but eager to call the Dominions into consultation in matters of Imperial and international scopo. Tho spontaneous fashion in which tho Dominions rallied to tho support of tho Mother Country in the present war was rightly hailed as a triumphant vindication of British racial unity and British political genius. lb is not less alear that in frankly inviting the representatives of the Dommioris to take part in' its deInv -? DS ' and in a real sCnse t0 snais, its responsibilities, the Britr is,d Government did a great deal to sweep away the remaining difficulties that oppose the effective federation of the. Empire. Thoro is ample evidence- that this momentous stop was taken with tho full approval of a very large proportion of the people oi Great Britain, ,and obviously it marked a big forward step in Imperial development. In somo respects the appointment now conferred upon General Smuts is an even more striking proof of the desire oi the British Government to taka full account of the views and (Jesires .of the Dominions than tho general invitation lately extended to overseas Ministers. That invitation was timely, and afforded the Dominion representatives an open opportunity of expressing their views, but it loft tho problem of permanent representation untouched. The appointment of General' Smuts is an approach to permanent representation which will no doubt be welcomed and appreciated in all the Dominions. It is particularly noteworthy that General Smuts is not only to attend the meetings of the War_ Cabinet and give it the benefit of his special military Knowledge and experience in matters relating to South Africa, but is to •bo employed as an emissary to foreign Governments. According to one message, he will be principally so employed. No bettor proof could be desired that it is the aim of tho British Government not merely to receive the representations of the Dominions on questions of war and foreign policy but to shape its policy with duo regard to theso representations. General Smuts, though not formally appointed as such, may be regarded as representative of tho ■' overseas Empire, and presumably will attend tho Allied . military and political conferences which aro held from time to time. This, with bis position on the British War Cabinet, should mean tho direct representation of tho self-governing Dominions on tho bodies appointed to deal finally with questions of war 'policy, and,- whon the time comes, with terms of peace. Later on we may learn that representatives of other self-governing Dominions have been invited to associate themselves with tho Iraporial War Cabinet in somo similar way. Tho extent to which such representation will ho effective must, of course, depend largely upon the personal qualities of tho representative. As to this, thero will probably be wideI spread agrcoment that in calling [ upon General Smuts tho_ Imperial I Government has made a wise choice. As statesman and soldier ho has given proof of exceptional gifts, and his speeches have demonstrated I that ho has a broad-minded • and I capable grasp of Imperial affaire. Whatever tho immediate- outcome of his appointment may be, it stands ' in any case as a clear proof that the | British Government, with the evident approval of the nation, is more i than ready to accord tho Dominions their natural place as active partners ia tho Imperial concern.,