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Hokitika Guardian, 15 August 1927, Page 2

Af'coitnixa to Sir A. AVillert. one of the legal advisers to the British Foreign Office, whose remarks were cabled last week, ‘‘secret diplomacy is necessary to the eflieient solution of international disputes.’’ This frank and courageous statement is welcome, oven though its source, may be regarded as somewhat prejudiced. A great deal of nonsense lias been talked in recent years about, “secret diplomacy by people who fail entirely to understand the conditions under which international discussions and negotiations are carried on. As Sir A. Wilier! reminds ns, “private individuals do not take

the world into their conlidt nee when they have contentious questions to settle.” Vet the critics of “secret diplimacy” apparently believe that what no Cabinet or company, no political or .‘teliginiis or industrial body, .would

venture to do, in considering its own affairs, can safely be done by statesmen engaged in Lhe delicate and dangerous task of adjusting international claims or settling international disputes. There is. however, a clear disinclion to be drawn between seen-1 dis-

cussions and secret treaties. Fir A. Wilbert is quite right in saving that nothing can bo said in favour of H'fri agreements. .Vo statesman has the right and no statesman should have the power to hind a Government 01 n nation to fulfil a pledge or to undertake a res|Miiisibilitv without consultation and consent.