SIR HUGH DENISON.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 January 1928, Page 3

SIR HUGH DENISON.

REASON FOR RESIGNATION. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association. NEW YORK, Jan. 11. On the eve of Sir Hugh Denison’s departure for England, en route to Australia, something is learned on good authority of important aspects of the situation leading to his resignation. It is understood that Sir Hugh Denison. on arrival, found his position ns Commissioner inadequate to carry out the work on the broad lines embraced in his commissioner. When Afr Bruce was in America in December, 1926, Sir Hugh Denison outlined the situation and suggested the elvaiion of the Commissioner’s office tn the status of a Legation, but Air Bruce indicated that this was not immediately contemplated. Afatters rested thus till Sir Hugh Denison forwarded his resignation. Lack of status made it difficult to bring important matters in a properly official way before the attention of American officials. Besides this, the tariff policy of the United States appeared to preclude the possibility of profitably augmenting the trade between the two countries, rendering the Commissioner’s duties of little need. He stressed his anomalous position, and recommended the elevation of the Comniissionership to the rank of a small Legation at Washington, as has been done by Canada and the Irish Free State. Subsequent exchanges of communications indicate that the Australian Government is now more inclined towards the advisableness of having a Afinistcr in Washington with broad diplomatic powers. There is a feeling hero that the question of the creation of an Australian Legation in Washington is somewhat complicated by the position of the High Commissioner in London,

and that the Government's decision affecting both positions will probably occur in the next few months.