AMBASSADOR TO AMERICA

Evening Star, Issue 20049, 14 December 1928, Page 13

AMBASSADOR TO AMERICA

AH AUSTRALIAN SUGGESTION POSSIBLE VALUE TO NEW ZEALAND [From Ona Correspondent.) SYDNEY, December 1. Is Australia about to follow the example of Canada and the Irish Free State, and appoint an Ambassador to the United States? Sir Hugh Denison, Commonwealth commissioner io the United States for two years, who returned a few months ago,’believes that that is the intention of the Federal Government. The present position, he says, is impossible, and cannot he permitted to continue, in an interview which lie gave today, Sir Hugh, who is one of the biggest business men in Australia, described the discomfort which attached to the position of Australian Commissioner during his stay in New York. The diplomatic headquarters of the country arc at Washington, and thither had to go all matters of diplomatic moment witli which the Commissioner had to deal. Moreover. Sir Hugh soon discovered that, while the Americans were disposed to bo very courteous towards him, they were determined to leave liim under no misapprehension as to his standing in tho country. That standing was tho same as a private individual. Not being the accredited representative of his country to Washington, the Australian Commissioner was forced to send all his correspondence through the British Ambassador, Sir Esme Howard, who received the official replies ana forwarded them to New York. In this clumsy manner the official business of Australia was carried out ioi two years. Dissatisfied with tiio position, Sir Hugh Denison called upon Sir Esme Howard to discuss how it could bo improved. The suggestion of the British Ambassador was that Australia should appoint a representative who would be attached to tho British Embassy as counsellor, and remain in that post for a number of years until the Commonwealth decided to have separate representation. This was the course followed by Canada for ten years before her decision to take advantage of the decision of the last Imperial Conference that tho selfgoverning dominions wore separate States governed by a common king, and entitled to separate representation at other courts. This suggestion was passed on to Mr S- M. Bruce, Prime Minister of Australia, and he inquired whether Sir Hugh would accept such a post if it were created. This, however, Sir Hugh; Denison felt ho could not do. Ail alternative suggestion was that the Commonwealth should accredit an Ambassador at once, but the objection raised to this was the extra expense and tho fact that the position of Commissioner was already upon the Statute Book. Nevertheless, Sir Hugh points out that the expense would not bo great, for the office could be shifted from New York to Washington, leaving in tho commercial centre tho two Customs officers who are doing routine work for the Australian Customs Department The jtrade work of the office would have io continue, for there is no likelihood of this task being undertaken by tho British Embassy. From the New Zealand point of view tho most interesting side of tho question is a proposal that an Ambassador for Australia, if "appointed by tho Commonweal! fi Government, should also act for tho dominion, lb is represented that only by this moans could New Zealand obtain direct representation in tho United States at low cost, if she desires it. Busy with his election campaign, Mr Bruce so far has not had the opportunity to make a decision in the matter, but early in tho New Year an announcement is expected, and an invitation to New Zealand may then bo dispatched by the Commonwon Ith Governraen t.