FOREIGN AFFAIRS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 153, 1 July 1938, Page 7

FOREIGN AFFAIRS.

SHAPING EMPIRE POLICY. British Offlelnl Wireless. RUGBY, June 30. The attention of the Prime Minister. Mr. Chamberlain, was called in the House of Commons to a recent speech by Mr. R. G. Menzies. Australian Attorney-General, advocating consultations between the Governments of the British Commonwealth on foreign affair', and he was asked if. in agreement with the Dominion Governments, he would take steps to establish machinery with the view to securing adequate consultation on the main aspects of foreign affairs. Mr. Chamberlain replied: "The House is aware that the principles covering the system of communication and consultation between IJis Majesty's several Governments on foreign affairs are now well established. The machinery as at present in force has been devised to give full effect to those principles. The present system is being constantly watched and Britain is always ready to consider practical proposals for improving the machinery." Asked if the Dominion Governments would have the opportunity to help to shape British foreign policy and not be asked merely to approve or disapprove of 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 jdo take every possible opportunity of keeping the Dominion Governments fully informed of developments in foreign policy."'