EMPIRE POLICY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 July 1938, Page 7

EMPIRE POLICY

ADVOCACY OF CLOSER CONSULTATION BRITISH PRIME MINISTER SYMPATHETIC. PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES MENTIONED. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, June 29. Mr Chamberlain’s attention was called, in the House of Commons today, to a recent speech by Mr R. G. Menzies, Australia Attorney-General and Minister for Industries, advocating consultations between the Governments of the British Commonwealth on foreign affairs. The Premier was asked if, in agreement with the Dominion Governments, he would take steps to establish machinery with a view to securing adequate consultation on main aspects of foreign affairs. _ Mr Chamberlain replied. “The House is aware that principles covering the system of communication and consultation between his Majesty’s several Governments on foreign affairs are now well established. The machinery at present in force has been devised to give full effect to those principles. The present system is being constantly watched, and BritainJs always ready to consider practical proposals for improving this machinery.’ Asked if the Dominion Governments would have an opportunity to help shape British foreign policy and not be asked merely to approve or disapprove particular aspects of it, Mr Chamberlain said: “As Mr Menzies said, I think, in his speech, international events cannot always wait while the family is having chats round the fireside, but we do take every possible opportunity of keeping the Dominion Governments fully informed of developments in foreign policy.”