DENISON GIVES REASON FOR HIS RESIGNATION

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 250, 12 January 1928, Page 9

DENISON GIVES REASON FOR HIS RESIGNATION

“POSITION ANOMALOUS” LEGATION STATUS WANTED By Cable.—Press Association. — Copyright. NEW YORK, Wed. The retiring High Commissioner for Australia in Washington, Sir Hugh Denison, is about to return to London en route for Australia. It is learned on good authority that the commission given him before he left Australia for America broadly outlined his powers as follows: He was given full authority to represent Australia in all matters relative to the trade between the two countries, with power to enter into financial arrangements, such as the flotation of loans, and similar matters, and to undertake a programme of publicity to make Australia better known in America, and otherwise to handle matters of a broad nature between the United States and Australia. Soon after his arrival he felt his position as High Commissioner inadequate to carry out this work. When the Prime Minister, Mr. S. M. Bruce, came to the States in December, 1926, it is understood that Sir Hugh outlined the situation, and the question of elevating the Commissioner’s offlce to the status of a legation was discussed. It is understood matters thus rested until Sir Hugh forwarded his resignation, in which he stressed that his position was anomalous, and he recommended the elevation of the Commissionership to the rank of a small legation at Washington. He suggested that no further Commissioner be appointed until he had an opportunity of discussing the matter with the Government. It is learned that the Australian Government acceded to this view. A further exchange of cablegrams seems to indicate that the Government is now more inclined toward the advisability of having a Minister at Washington with broad diplomatic powers.—A. and N.Z.