PROJECT THAT LAPSED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 November 1943, Page 4

PROJECT THAT LAPSED

MEETING OF OVERSEAS PREMIERS DURING VISIT TO LONDON OF GENERAL SMUTS STATEMENT BY DOMINIONS SECRETARY (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.47 a.m.) RUGBY, November 2. Viscount Cranb.orne (Dominions Secretary)., speaking in the House of Lords, stated that another attempt has been made within recent weeks to arrange a meeting of Dominions’ Prime Ministers to coincide with the visit of General Smuts to London. Lord Cranborne said: “It seemed an appropriate moment and soundings were accordingly taken, but unfortunately Mr Fraser wa? not able to come, owing to temporary illness, and it now appears impossible for Mr Curtin to make the journey at the present time.” The, Government’s only desire concerning the machinery of Empire collaboration, Lord Cranborne added, was to perfect it, and to have the closest cooperation, both in defence and foreign affairs. He pointed out that it was not for Britain alone Jo decide wli’at new machinery, if any, . should be set up. Britain was only one of five. “The United Kingdom,” he observed, “is the Metropolitan Dominion of his Majesty, and Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa are the King’s Overseas Dominions.” It would have to be decided undei' the Statute of Westminster, he said, what new machinery should be set up. Any machinery of collaboration between the various parts of the Commonwealth was not rigid and unalterable, but capable of constant change to meet changing conditions. Lord Cranborne rebutted a suggestion that Empire policy was entirely directed from London, without adequate consultation with the Dominions and added: “I believe the existing machinery of Imperial collaboration has proved satisfactory to the Dominions and has met most of the needs of war time conditions. No doubt much of this machinery will continue after the war.” Lord Cranborne said Mr Curtin’s recent proposal concerning Empire cooperation was very interesting, but he did not propose to comment on it in light of Mr Churchill’s recent statement that such questions should be decided by the Imperial Conference.