EMPIRE AFFAIRS

Hokitika Guardian, 8 January 1925, Page 2

EMPIRE AFFAIRS

MR MACDONALD’S EFFORTS. .DSTUAMAN ANI) N.Z. CAULK ASSOCIATION LONDON. January 0. Mr Ramsay MacDonald’s unavailing elicits to create a Dominion Conference to examine the adequacy ol the existing system of consultation in matters of foreign policy of general Imperial interests, ore revealed in a White Paner. now published, containing the correspondence on the subject between the British and Dominion (•<>- vernnieiits. Mr MacDonald, in a telegram, of 23rd June, 1921, expressed the Covernmeut's ; nxiety that the Dominions were being inadequately consulted, and suggested a eiiulerciK e o! two repleseiitatives from each Dominion to consider the problem. Mr Bruce’s (Australia) reply of Uhk Jul v, contained the first suggestion for the lli'di Commissioner's olliee to deal oilh urgent foreign quest ions. He wanted our machinery ensuring a common Empire policy akead.v vested in the Imperial eimlereme, a change 1 1 , in which way neither necessary nor desirable. Mr Brin e appealed lor luller regular advice on toroign allairs from the Imperial Covermnenl. pointing out that the greatest 'efforts should he mad? io anticipate que-lions

requiring urgent decision. instead ot informing the Dominions after a decision had been made ami arte 1 upon. The views of the Dominion Governincuts should be given greater consideration. Otherwise, efforts to torinulate a common policy would he .utile. Subsequently New Zealand. ( amnia. South Africa and Newfoundland expressed their willingness to pnHn'.pat? in a preliminary eoulereuee. .Mr Tiinee rallied on August 22. tha.’. he still adhered to his view-, hut was prepared to co-operate with the others en the principle that anything remotely tending to improve Anglo-Dominion 1-,-bi t ions wa - wor!by i i a trie.i. Owing to ib'lms :11 fixed lb? del" „! Ih" ""i "O fere tie". Lulled,. ei:;:"-ted mi iieb'limle ] ?':• I |i(.l!eineil I . Mr Tlioiims on Senlend.ei 13. ein u larised the Doniinious. staling t lial i. w;»s impossible to suggest a dale, end Mr Anter.v disnosed of the matter in a ei ,*( -11 la, on December 2, staling that the rolTCspnlidenre disclosed eonsideiJoiiht, as to the advisahk'uess of taking action in the sense ol the Ai :s. - Donald message. Jt was generally agreed that. Die lime was unripe to revive the idea ol a special ennfereuee. though ultimately alter hesitation, all the Dominions agreed to participate in an inquiry. The Government, 'while lully in agreement with Air MacDonalds’ principles of con.-idt alioti and concerted action, (piestioued whether an inquiry of the nature sicgested would lead to a !»’<)!’- tieal result. Nevertheless it insists that personal consultation mi ike Den- , Protocol is essential. |