Wairarapa Times-Age FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 1942. EMPIRE CO-ORDINATION.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 January 1942, Page 2

Wairarapa Times-Age FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 1942. EMPIRE CO-ORDINATION.

NEW turn is given to the discussion of Empire co-ordination in a statement issued by Sir Earle Page, who is at present representing Australia as a special envoy in London. There have been suggestions of late that the Commonwealth Government, unlike those of Canada, New Zealand and South Africa, advocates the establishment of an Empire War Cabinet. This is not proposed, however, in Sir Earle Page’s statement. He recommends instead that: — The fullest information should be given to and from the Dominions, and their views sought and exchanged, with criticism given and taken—all this being done on a lower plane than the Ministerial level, and at a stage when foreign policy and strategy are still in fluid form. AVhat is now needed, he adds, is a more active and complete system of liaison, covering not onlj 7 foreign policy, but also the three fighting Services, as well as supply and economic relations. This plan avoids the knotty problem of attempting to create a, central executive authority for the autonomous countries of the Empire, but seems to be open to the objection that it would involve an elaboration of official machinery which would be costly and perhaps of doubtful value. The function of the liaisonofficers whose appointment is proposed by t Sir Earle Page apparently would bo to collect information from British Government departments and to transmit information received from their own Government, “with criticism given and taken.” In the absence of more detailed information than has yet been given, it is not easy to see on what grounds this elaboration of official, machinery is regarded as desirable. A simpler and more direct exchange of information between the Government of the United Kingdom an ( d those of other Empire countries would appear to be in every way preferable, particularly where ' quick decisions and prompt action have to be taken in time of war. Fuller explanation may put Sir Earle Page’s proposals in a. more favourable light, but they do not obviously commend themselves as they stand. TOBACCO FOR OUR TROOPS. 'J’OBACCO takes an important place among the items that may be sent to the members of our fighting forces overseas and the improved arrangements now made for the transmission of parcels of tobacco and cigarettes are correspondingly to be welcomed. It is unfortunate that tobacco parcels cannot meantime be sent to our forces in the Middle East —a large proportion of the total—or to prisoners of war, but it is hoped, according to the Minister of Defence (Mr Jones) that before long New Zealanders in the -Middle East will get the benefit of the new service. Determined efforts certainly should be made to overcome whatever difficulties stand in the way in Egypt and also to improve the supply of tobacco to prisoners of war if that be practicable. From the point of view of people in this country who wish to send tobacco to their kinsmen or friends serving overseas the plan now put into operation should be entirely satisfactory. The remission of duty and the consequent reduction in price naturally will be approved. The action thus taken amounts really to a somewhat belated act of justice, placing soldiers in this matter on an equality with seamen voyaging overseas.