THE COURT OF ST. JAMES

Shannon News, 24 December 1925, Page 2

THE COURT OF ST. JAMES

DOMINION AMBASSADORS HIGHER STATUS ESSENTIAL There is a growing demand in the Dominions for stronger and more influential representation in London than that afforded by the present system of being represented by High Commissioners. The question has •gained prominence by the fact that Jioth Australia and New' Zealand have to appoint a new High Commissioner next year. Should such representatives be given ambassadorial rank? An interesting statement on the subject was made recently in Sydney by Mr W. M. Hughes, a former Prime Minister of the Commonwealth, who, indeed, has been mentioned as the prospective successor to Sir Joseph Cook, whose term as High Comrais. sioner expires in December next.' -

“London,’ said Mr Hughes* “is the j nerve centre of the Empire, and it |is also the principal depot of our best market,’ naturally and economically. Therefore, in her best interests, Australia should demand that she should be represented in Britain by the best brains available. “It may be fairly said that for several reasons, Australia suffers by comparison with other great domin. ions, notably Canada. An effective re. presentative in Britain demands not only the selection of the right man, or men. but that these should be supported by an effective organisation, backed by such financial support as Would enable Australia to hold its own. “Both these things are necessary—the highly competent man and the effective Organisation amply financed. Without a competent man nothing is possible, but given the' man, but wonting the effective organisation, a situation is created like> that of- a great general without a disciplined army. “Australia lias progressed so rapidly that its 'citizens are still applying- the method's that served us in our adolescence to the vastly changed circumstances of (fur manhood. It is an axiom of big business that, to make money one must spend | money. The world outside our doors I knows nothing of Australia as it is I save from the meagre and too often I misleading new r spap«r items and from I the speeches and the displays of wiiat lis really our embassy overseas. And [ the world judges us, our wealth and I our prospects from what they see and I hear in this way. I ha*ve suffered verjJ much I nationally and economically, and it is I perhaps not too much to say that las we. should have the best repreI sentation, ours stops far short of that j ideal. I “I do not in any way reflect upon I the present and past, occupants of the I High Commissionership. With means I at their disposal they have, done well j enough, but they have never been I adequately supported. I “They have not had Kt their dls- [ posal the means to impress the au. I thorities and people of England with I the importance, wealth and resources I of Australia. This would not matter so very much if we were, figuratively I speakingly, a stone’s throw from the great European markets. But we are set in one of the corners of the earth, while Canada, for example, is only a few days away. We want, better ir>e presentation than Oanacfa\ if we are to hold our own in the British ! market wdth her, if we are to see that our national interests are as well understood and catered for. But it lias happened these many years that Canada’s representation lias, from every point of view, been more effective than ours. “.As to the effect “on our national interests, I can speak with authority. The relation between our reputation and our economic interests is direct and intimate. One of the most effective ways of promoting the economic welfare of Australia in the overseas markets is to impress our potential customers with our own importance and our resources.

“I do not, suggest that w r e should beat a big drum. That is not the way to do business in London at all. But. the Ambassador of Australia must be in a position to meet the most highly placed Ministers, officials financiers and representatives of great businesses on an equal footing.” “Quite apart from all this, there, there is need for effective representa, tions in order to safeguard our interests, both national and economic, as affected by the foreign. policy of the Empire.”