DOMINIONS AND THE LEAGUE.

Evening Star, Issue 19665, 19 September 1927, Page 6

DOMINIONS AND THE LEAGUE.

The election of Canada to one of tho non-permanent scats on the Council 1 of tho League of Nations marks a new phase in the association, of tho dominions with the' League. There are live permanent scats ou the Council, held by Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan, and nine which are subject to re-election from time to time by tho Assembly. So far as the constitution of tho League is concerned, there never was any reason why one of these non-pennnncnt seats should not be held by a dominion. All tho dominions are members of the League on precisely the same footing as the other independent States which compose it. Tho reason why none of them has been a member of its Council before can bo attributed to three factors. Until a quite recent date, none of them seems to have had any particular ambition to shine in that capacity. They were apparently quite contented for their influence in what may bo called the Cabinet of the League to be exerted through its British member, who has never failed to consult with their representatives when important matters have had to bo decided. Obviously there are a great many matters, important to European countries and furnishing continual employment for the Council, which have only the smallest interest for the dominions. There was the doubt also felt on their part, and shared probably for a long time by the British Government, whether it would be wise for tho members of the Empire to be represented separately in the main governing body of the League, where they would bo liable to speak with different voices. A last obstacle was tbo difficulty of election. Nob a few of the States comprised in it were disposed to think that the British Empire had already too much power' in tho League, ami lo bo opposed to developments which might increase its power. That last objection was weakened when tho Council was enlarged last year from ten members to fourteen, and a. system of rotation adopted which meant that every State of any position must have its turn as a Council member. A year ago tho Irish Free Stale was a candidate for a seat, but received very small support. Now Canada lias been elected, with one vote above the simple majority which was required for her return. It seems odd that Canada should have a representative in tho Council when Belgium, which is so closely concerned with European problems making tho bulk of its work, has none, but some problems might bo solved more impartially it they were dealt with altogether by disinterested States, instead of those which have established prejudices to overcome, and can hardly separate their own interests from the matters at issue. It was inevitable that in some quarters speculations should already have been provoked as to the effect which the new emphasis laid on tho dominions’ status may bo expected to have upon their conduct within the Empire. The London ‘ Star ’ inquires whether, now that the “last doubt” has been removed concerning their absolute equality with Britain, not only in Imperial hut in world councils, they will- he more inclined to take a full share of Imperial responsibilities and costs, such as the defence ,of Australia’s enormous coast line? The question is supciTluous, based on a false assumption. There was no “ last doubt ” regarding the dominions’ equality to be removed. So far as the League of Nations is concerned, full equality was afforded them beyond a doubt, by tho terms on which they entered that association, and for Imperial purposes it was confirmed, rather than established, by the Balfour report of last year. The fact that Canada lias now a scat on tho League’s Council will not affect tho position of the overseas partners in the Empire outside that body one jot. Their contributions towards Imperial defence will bo governed by quite other considerations, the same by which they have been influenced in the past.