CHANGE IN STATUS

Hokitika Guardian, 18 May 1927, Page 3

CHANGE IN STATUS

POSITION OF GOYERNORSGENKRAL. AUCKLAND, May 13. As an outcome of the decisions of the last Imperial Conference, an alteration in the status of the Governor-Gen-erals of Canada and of South Africa has been agreed upon by the Governments of these countries, hut no change is to be made in New Zealand. The Prime Minister said to-day that in Canada and South Africa, it had keen agreed that as from .July Ist the Governor-Generals will act purely as representatives of the King and not of the British Govertimo.nl. Arrangements were being made by these countries for different system of representation by the Imperial Government, but he had not yet received advice as to method agreed upon.

‘‘The Government of New Zealand.” said Mr Coates, “does not intend to make any chance in the status of the Governor-General or in the channel of communication with the Home Country, to which we have been accustomed. Nevertheless that is not to say that there may not in future lie more close contact between the New Zealand anc| British Government. Since the Imperial Conference negotiations have been carried on with a view to expanding the system of contact and liason, and I hope in the near future to make a statement which will reveal the methods likely to he adopted until there is a reasonable prospect of tentative proposals being adopted. Ido not think it wise to discuss them in detail.”