THE PREMIERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 June 1921, Page 5

THE PREMIERS.

FOREIGN POLICY. VOICE OF THE DOMINIONS. \ NEW HEBRIDES CONTROL. v ' fly Telegraph.—Press Assn.—-Copyrrgtt. London, June 26. It is understood that a good deal of the foreign policy discussed at the Conference centred round the Bolshevik and Russian possibilities. Equilibrium is being re-established in spite of the bitter propaganda of the extremists, which is now being countered. The Treaty of London was frequently mentioned. The £ew Hebrides condominium question is beginning to attract attention, and feeling is hardening against joint control. Opinion favors administration by one country. Some consider the most reasonable solution to be to treat the islands similarly to the mandate territory. France might be persuaded to surrender her interests in consideration of an equivalent elsewhere or a financial arrangement. Then probably the control would pass to Australia. The official discussion has not taken place yet, but the matter is likely to be considered before the Ministers separate. The proposal that each Dominion should be permanently represented at the Foreign Office had a mixed reception. This and Canada’s determination to have an Ambassador at Washington are regarded by the majority of Prime Ministers as an indication of a fanlike development, creating highly-paid posts and adding to the present expenditure without an adequate return.

Mr. Hughes believes in his plan to keep the Dominions’ leaders continually informed of world-wide developments, instead of hearing of the thing to be done when it has been done. His colleagues approve the principle, but are not inclined to assume additional financial burdens by the multiplication of new appointments which would be unpopular in the present economic situation. ~ It is considered certain that, if Canada persists in her Washington plans, other Dominions will claim similar privileges elsewhere.