IMPERIAL RELATIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 29 July 1925, Page 3

IMPERIAL RELATIONS

[Australia it N.Z. Cable Association.]

LONDON, July 27

At the British Commonwealth .Labour Conference, there was a debate on the question of the Inter-Commonwealth relations. It was opened by Mr 'loin Johnson, of Ireland, lie pointed out that the time has come when the constituent ciintries of the Empire should consider their position in the event of Britain becoming involved in another war. The Irish view was that they should not he committed to entering a war against, their will.

Mr Sampson (of the South African Legislative Assembly) uttered a warning against the danger of attaching 100 much importance to the question of constitutional relations to exclusion of the important consideration of improving social and economic conditions. Miss Heagnoy (Australian delegate) emphasised that the Governments of Australia, during the last lilteeu years had found their constitutional relationships were largely controlled by tho Imperial Government, and it was in the ho))c of giving the Commonwealth greater control of it*s own affairs that a memorial lva.s been presented at Downing Street asking for the appointment of Australians as Governor-Gen-erals.

The question was remitted to a committee. LONDON. July 21. In tho Commons, AD Amery. in (lota,ilfiig the procedure for informing the Dominions, said that tlie information which the British Government at present circulated could advantageously be supplemented by information sent individually to each Dominion Government by some representative directly under tho order of that Government, who could have access to all .sources of information, and who knew in what his Government were particularly interested. Australia, during the last half year, had such a special liaison officer in England, wlm, undoubtedly was very serviceable in keeping hfs Prime Minister in touch with the progress of affairs. The British Government was equally willing to accord tho same facilities lo the other Dominions. Asked whether the Australian representative had acoss to the Cabinet papers Mr Amery replied that he had access to all confidential papers. Ho was regarded as the personal representative of the Prime Minister of Australia, and. in that capacity, could seo whatever the Prime Minister of Australia himself wight wish to see.

Emphasising the development of the telegraphic consultation with the Dominions. Air Amery said that in addition to a mass of information sent to the Dominions hv every mail, over 120 telegrams, many of great length, were sent to the Dominions during the past eight months. The hulk of these directly contented the Protocol or security of Europe.

He proceeded to pay a tribute to the work of the Empire Parliamentary Association, and to the value ol direct intercourse between the Empire's Parliamentary representative.

Mr J. 11. Thomas interrupting, asked whether when it is necessary, for Mr Amery to summon the High Commissioners, the liaison officers should also attend.

Air Amery replied: “A liaison officer's mission is to deal with specific matters of high policy communicated directly to the Dominions, but which, at any rate, until the Dominion Governments decide otherwise, are not to he handled through the High Commissioners and therefore, the particular occasion which those suggest has not yet arisen; valuable as this means cf fuller information might he to a Dominion Government. In the ease of a relatively junior officer like a liaison officer, we are equally willing to extend the same principle, if desired, to such senior authoritative representative whether high commissioners or otherwise, whom the Dominion Governments, would care to appoint, not merely for the- purpose of securing first-hand information, but for the purpose of confidential consultation with the British Government on any matter whereon their Government might wish to he advised, or have a discussion. MIGRANTS FOR AUSTRALIA. LONDON, July 27. In the House of Commons Mr Amery (Dominion Secretary) introduced tho Colonial Office estimates, which, for the first time, were dosenilied 1 las “loir the Expenses of the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs.’’ After dwelling on the change in the Colonial Office organisation. Mr Amery paid a- high tribute to the services of the Prince of Wales, in cementing the Knvpire. He referred to .the wonderful reception accorded to the Prince of Wales in the Dominions as an evidence of their loyalty to the Crow n and tho Motherland.

Mr Aincrv gave details of a. scheme for settling 450 thousand assisted migrants from tho United Kingdom to Australia in the next ten years. Ho said that this should mark the largest advance in Empire settlement since the passage of the Empire Settlement Act.