DOMINION AMBASSADORS

Shannon News, 29 December 1925, Page 1

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 both Australia and New Zealand have to appoint a new High Commissioner next year. Should such representatives. be given ambassadorial rank? I 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 Commis. sioner expires in December next. ‘‘London,’ said Mr Hughes, “is the 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 gx*eat 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 v 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 wanting the effective, organisation, a situation is created like that of a great general without a disciplined army. “Australia has progressed so rapidly that its ,'citizens are still applying the methods that served us in our adolescence to the vastly changed circumstances of our manhood, It is an axiom of big business that to make money one must spend money. The world outside our doors knows nothing of Australia as it is save from the meagre and too often misleading newspaper Items and from the speeches and the displays of what is really our embassy overseas. And the world judges us, our wealth and our prospects from what they see and hear in this way. fjfWe hajve suffered veryf much nationally and economically, and it is perhaps not too much to say that as we should have the best representation, ours stops far short of that ideal. “I do not in any way reflect upon the present and past occupants of the High Commissionershlp. With means at their disposal they have done well enough, but they have never been adequately supported. 1 “They have not had &t their disposal the means to impress the au. thorities and people of England with the importance, w r ealth and resources of Australia. This would not matter S 0! very much if w'e were, figuratively 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 (representation than Canadian if we are to hold our own in the British market with her, if we are to see that our national interests are as well understood and catered for. But it has happened these many years that Canada’s representation has, 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 'national 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 we should beat a big drum. That is not the way to do business in London at all. But the Ambassador of Austtalia must be in a position to meet the most highly placed Ministers, officials financiers and representatives of great businesses oh 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."