FOREIGN AFFAIRS.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18926, 15 February 1927, Page 8

FOREIGN AFFAIRS.

DOMINION REPRESENTATIVES ABROAD. [THB PBBBB Bpaeiti Berries.! WELLINGTON, February 14. The right of the Dominions of the British Empire to conduct their own affairs with foreign countries by the appointment of accredited representatives was briefly touched upon this morning by the Prime Minister in outlining the achievements of the Imperial Conference. Ihere could be no question, said Mr Coiites, that iroin training, from knowledge, trom contiguity, and above all, from convenience, tliu foreign Omcc of his Majesty's Government in Great iJritaiii was the appropriate channel of negotiation on all the 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 tlio British Government that each Dominion had the right to appoint representatives to foreign countries and tight its own affairs m its own way with the understanding that the consentvof partner Governments was obtained wherever those might be concerted. "Closer association than has been found possible up to the present is obviously desirable in the domain of foreign affairs," said Mr Coates, "and will no doubt he achieved in the near future. It is my intention to take some preliminary steps in this direction as soon as it is possible to do so, and I propose to submit proposals on this matter for the consideration of my colleagues." He hoped also to mnke arrangements to keep the Press and the public of New Zealand more fully in touch with 'foreign affair*, and the larger aspects of political and Imperial life. He felt that thiMwonld not only, be appreciate by nur people, but would lead to * fuller realisation* not