UNIT MEMBERS OF THE EMPIRE

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 455, 12 June 1937, Page 5

UNIT MEMBERS OF THE EMPIRE

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE DEFINES STATUS

RACIAL DIFFERENCES AND CIVIL RIGHTS

QPress Association—Copyright.)

Received June 12, 12.5 p.m

London, June 1 1. The Imperial Conference issued the first of its reports this morning on the constitutional and economic outcome of the deliberations of the committee. It is not the practice of the United Kingdom to distinguish between different classes of British subjects regarding the granting of civil political rights, or the right of entry into, and residence in the United Kingdom. In the light of this fact it should als obe mentioned that British diplomatic Consuls are prepared to protect and assist British subjects belonging to any member of the Commonwealth not possessing separate representation in foreign countries. No change in this respect is contemplated or desired. Aus- • tralia, also Britain and New Zealand, lyere emphatic that they were not prepared to introduce legislation conferring on their citizens any national status other than what they already possess' ■as British subjects under existing legislation. It is felt that any inconveniences that might arise if a person belonged to two menbers of the Commonwealth could be overcome by each member normally including as members of its community persons born in, or having become British by naturalisation or the annexation of territory, and persons coming as British subjects l from other parts of the Commonwealth, who identify themselves with the community to which they come.