FOREIGN POLICY

Wairarapa Age, 15 February 1927, Page 5

FOREIGN POLICY

BRITAIN AND THE DOMINIONS. NEED OF CLOSER TOUCH. PRIME MINISTER’S PROPOSALS. Surveying the work of the Imperial Conference, when he was interviewed on his arrival at Wellington yesterday, the Prime Minister touched upon questions of contact between the Mother Country and the Dominions in matters of foreign policy and the appointment by the Dominions of representatives accredited to foreign countries. There could be no question, said Mr. Coates, that from training, from knowledge, from contiguity, and. above all, from convenience, the Foreign Office of His Majesty’s Government in Great Brita:n was the appropriate channel of negotiation on all tho more vital aspects of foreign affairs. But to avoid any possible appearance of domination, and to meet exceptional cases where this would appear to be desirable, it was clearly indicated by the British Government that each Dominion had the right to appoint representatives to foreign countries and to conduct its own affairs in its own way, with tho understanding that the consent of partner Governments was obtained wherever those might be concerned. “Closer association than has been found possible up to tho present is obviously desirable in the domain of foreign affairs, ’ ’ said Mr. Coates, 11 and will no doubt be achieved in the near future. It is my intention to take some preliminary steps in this direction ns soon as it is possible to do so, and I propose to submit proposals on this matter for the consideration of my colleagues. 44 It is hoped also to make arrangements to keep the Press and the public in New Zealand more fully in touch with foreign affairs, and the larger aspects of our political and Imperial life. I feel- that this will not only be appreciated by our people, but will lead to a fuller realisation not only of our privileges, but also of our responsibilities.”