SIR J. PARR.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 June 1926, Page 1

SIR J. PARR.

[_“ The Times ” Service.] LONDON, May 31. Sir J. Parr .'added that tlie time was not. ripe for the appointment of Ambassadors from the Dominions to foreign euntries. So far as New Zealand was concerned, she was willing to leave the conduct ofvforeign affairs to Britain, provided the right of consultation was maintained. New Zealand was already keenly interested in the Imperial Conference, especially concerning the most Serious -problem of defence of the Pacific. The feeling towards Japan since the war was sincerely pleasant. The sentiment of a white New Zealand was as strong as ever, hut there was a growing conviction that Japanese expansion was directed"" towards the Philippines and China rather ' than Australia and New Zealand. New Zealanders were disappointed at the results of the Umpire Settlement Act. The most successful ventures had been those designed on a smaller scale where a small community was concerned. It was impossible to absorb more than thirteen to fifteen thousand yearly. .Group settlement on a lltrge scale may be possible in the great open spaces of Australia hut even there it failed badly. Sill -f. PARK INTERVIEWED. LONDON, May 30. New 'Zealand sentiment docs not support other quarters claims for increased Dominion status, really amounting to semi-independence. H some -advocates of greater independence within the' Umpire tlnme out into the open they would have found the real nbject/was a breakaway, said Sir James Parr, to an interviewer. So far as we are concerned, the -uggestion. that Dominion Cabinet -Ministers should replace the High Commissioner is impracticable, a.nd not advantageous to the Dominion’s representatives. Ungland must consult tho Governments before committing them to any step. Being a Minister would not induce a representative to do things off his own bat. Furthermore, no constituency is likely to 'allow a member to be absent from Parliament for several years, automatically disfranchising his constituents. If a member of the Upper House were appointed to London no matter how able, lie would not carry the same weight as a member elected to Parliament. The real consultation is inevitably lietween the British Government and Dominion Premiers. jho Dominion Office sends the Prcmieis lengthy despatches two or three Mines weekly. They are seldom shown to anyone else, and are never laid before Cabinet.