INTER-IMPERIAL RELATIONS

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 49, 22 November 1926, Page 9

INTER-IMPERIAL RELATIONS

PLACED BEYOND REACH OF MISUNDERSTANDING

GREATER DEGREE OF EMPIRE UNITY ACHIEVED PRIME MINISTERS’ INTENSE SATISFACTION The Prime Ministers are declared to have separated, after dealing with the problem of inter-imperial relations, wiht a sense of intense satisfaction, conscious that they had placed the question beyond the reach of misunderstanding, and achieved a degree of reality in Empire unity greater than ever before.

(By Telegraph—Special Reporter.)

(Rec. November 20, 5.5 p.tn.) London. November 19. It was with a sense of intense satisfaction that the Prime Ministers separated this, afternoon, conscious that they had placed beyond the reach of misunderstanding the whole range of inter-imperial relations, and achieved a degree of reality in Empire unity greater than ever before. There was not time after the meeting to prepare a report for issue to-night. It is promised that the document will be of absorbing interest and importance, and will occupy more than three columns of newspaper space. FORECAST OF REPORT. It is understood that the following is a reliable forecast of the report. In it no new principle has been introduced, but merely sets out the stage reached in Empire evolution, which never previously has been reduced to a joint agreement It is declared that evolution is going on, and will go on, but that one definite, final point has been reached, and recognised as freely by Downing Street as by all the units, namely, the equality of status of all the self-governing parts of the Empire, who are the autonomous communities, bound together by the fact that they are full members of the Empire. A high-placed personage to-night said: “This is the end of all the crooked thinking which lias been responsible for some of the dissonant speeches heard during the last three years. This report will not mislead anyone who understands the Empire Nobody need take the words and carefully examine them to see what they mean. It is sufficient to say that they really describe, perhaps more explicitly than before, what the Empire is.” It is understood that the passage devoted to Governor-Generals contains no surprise, but a definition of Their Excellencies as representatives of the King, not of the British Government, and as playing the same part in the Dominion constitutions as Elis Majesty does in the United Kingdom. TREATY PROBLEMS. Considerable attention has been paid to treatv matters, and the form of the preamble and the methods of signature adopted are based on the King as head of the whole Empire. It is further agreed to subscribe to and perfect the existing system laid down at the 1923 Conference regarding the negotiation of treaties and prompt inter-com-munication with one another, regarding movements and opinions in this connection. EMPIRE FILMS. During the discussion on Empire films, Mr. Brace expressed dissatisfaction that at the opening of the Conference thev were assured that the British Government had definite proposals to remedy the existing evils, whereas nothing had been nut forward which would have a material effect in altering the position. The onlv thing he welcomed in the Committee’s report was a paragraph indirectlv saving that it was Britain’s responsibility to give a lead. If she did so Australia was prenared to co-operate, and he was sure the State Governments would be most svmpathetic. . . In connection with treaties, it is understood that the Dominions rest on a clause specificallv exempting them from the Locarno Pact. Also the Prime Ministers mutuallv agreed that there should be consultation before completing future European pacts. THE COMMITTEE’S REPORT NEW STATUS OF DOMINIONS TITLE OF THE KING (Rec. November 21, 5.5 p.m.) London, November 20. The Inter-Imperial Relations Committee 1 eports that every self-governing member of the Empire is now master of its own destinies, subject to no compulsion whatever. Though even Dominion is the sole indue of the extent of its co-operation, no common cause will be therebv imperilled Equalitv of the status of Britain and the Dominions therefore is the root principle governing inter-imperial relations, but flexible machinerv is required to deal with the questions of diplomacy and defence. . The new title of the King, which omits “of the United Kingdom.” was made necessarv owing to the altered state of affairs ’following the establishment of the Free State as a Dornin ion. GOVERNOR-GENERAL’S POSITION. The committee considers it essential, in consequence of the equalitv of Dominion status, that the GovernorGeneral should represent the Crown, similarly to His Maiestv, who is not the representative of the Imperial Gov ernment. wherefore the Governor-Gen ral cannot longer be regarded as the official channel of communication between the Imperial and Dominion Governments Details will be settled as earlv as possible after the Conference’ o work is completed on various point o necessitating clarification in connection with Dominion legislation, particularly regarding laws submitted for His Majesty's pleasure. CRGWN’s *e<snvT to LEGISLATION. Regarding differences of legislative competence between the Imperial and Dominion Parliaments these were con sidered but left for expert guidance The rmht of each Dominion to advise the Crown rewarding its own affairs was rcco"nised The committee reconi mends Britain and the Dominions to constitute an advisory committee to • (Icnl w ;<i, t i lP Crown’ o assent to legislation and the extra territorial operation of Dominions’ legislation, and anv

change in the Colonial Laws Validity Act, in view of the existing inter-Im-perial relations. It was decided to remit merchant shipping legislation to a special subconference sitting simultaneously with the aforementioned expert committee. Any changes in connection with Privy Council appeals will be given effect to only after consultation. GOVERNMENTS’ ASSENT TO TREATIES. Regarding treaties, any Government must obtain other Governments’ assent before involving them in active obligations. Where all the Governments of the Empire should ratify a treaty, the initiating Government may assume that a Government which had full opportunity of indicating its attitude and has not commented adversely concurs in the ratification. The method of using in the preamble of League of Nations’ treaties (he term “British Empire” tends to obscurity and misunderstanding, wherefore all treaties, whether under the auspices of the League or otherwise, should be made in the name of the heads of the States. If a treaty is made in the name of the King it will be as a symbol of special relationship between the different parts of the Empire. PLENIPOTENTIARIES’ POWERS. (Rec. November 21, 11.5 p.m.) The plenipotentiaries for the various British units should have -full powers issued by the King, indicating the part of the Empire for which they will sign. This should also cover the mandated territories. Where more than one part of the Empire is desirous of representation at international conferences this may be accomplished through the common plenipotentiary, through the Empire delegation representing the various parts, or by separate delegations representing each part. While recognising that a major share of responsibility for foreign affairs rests with the British Government, the committee felt that the general principle regarding treaty procedure already outlined should apply as a guide. The British Government accepted the suggestion that any application by a foreign Government for the issue of Consuls’ exequatur should be referred to the -Dominion Government concerned, since the Governor-General no longer represents the British Government in any Dominion. SYSTEM OF COMMUNICATION. The members of the Conference desire the development of a system of personal contact between London and the Dominion capitals, supplementing the present system of intercommunication. Details thereof should be settled between the Imperial and Dominion Governments, any new arrangements supplementing and not replacing the system of direct communication between the Governments. ARBITRATION TN INTERNATIONAL DISPUTES. Though no resolution was submitted regarding tompulsory arbitration in international disputes, it was agreed that no Government represented at the Conference would accept compulsory jurisdiction of the Permanent Court of International Justice without further discussion. ‘ . RESULTS OF LOCARNO. The results of the Locarno Treaty were explained and discussed, the Conference completely approving the conduct to a successful conclusion of negotiations. It was resolved accordingly, and the Conference congratulated the British Government on its share in this successful contribution to the promotion of the peace of the,world. REPORTS ADOPTED BY CONFERENCE (Rec. November 21, 5.5 p.m.) ’ London, November 19. The fourteenth plenary sitting of the Imperial Conference this morning adopted reports dealing with overseas settlement, workmen’s compensation, and the exhibition of Empire films within the Empire. The fifteenth session this afternoon approved of the. report of the Inter-Imperial Relations Committee dealing with the Ltonuntons’ status, the relations between various parts of the Empire, and with foreign countries, also the svstem of communication and consultation between the various parts of the. Empire. . The conference will deal with outstanding committee reports on Monday. \n effort is being made to supply an ifficial general report of the conference at the end of the last sitting on Tuesday. WIRE! ESS AND CABLE RATES DELEGATION FROM EMPIRE PRESS UNION (Rec .November 21, 5 5 p tn.) London. November 19. A delegation from the Empire Press Union waited upon the imperial Communications Committee on the subject if wireless and cable rates AIRSHIP DEVELOPMENT SOUTH AFRICA TO COOPERATE London. November 19. It is understood that the South African delegation has decided to co-oper-ate in airship development, and erect a mooring mast The site is not yet Iprided. MR. AND MRS. COATES AT CHEQtJERS (Rec. November 21, 5.5 p.m.) London. November 19. Mr and Mrs Coates and Mr and Mrs. Monroe are spending the weekend at Chequers. (The report on Empire Settlement will be found on the following page.)