EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 345, 4 May 1928, Page 13

EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

PRIME MINISTER EXPLAINS MR. NOSWORTHY SATISFACTORY Press Association. WELLINGTON, Thursday. The change that has taken place in the control of the Department of External Affairs has been interpreted in certain quarters as evidence of dissatisfaction by the Prime Minister with the administration of that portfolio by the Hon. W. Nosworthy. Mr. Coates to-day gave this an emphatic denial. “The change in the administration of the department, which is now incorporated with the Imperial Affairs branch of the Prime Minister’s department,” said Mr. Coates, “does not imply any reflection on my colleague. There was no suggestion of that whatever. As a matter of fact, the alteration was based on his suggestion. My practical point of view in regard to this matter is that when any disturbance occurs the discussions centre on the Prime Minister, and very often he has to take the question up without having detailed knowledge of what has happened.” Apart altogether from the question of amalgamation, it had been deemed advisable that the two departments should come under the one control. External and Imperial affairs were interwoven, more particularly when it was a case of important correspondence coming through the League of Nations.

“A big bearing is the question of economy/’ said Mr. Coates. “It saves the appointment of another officer.”