DIPLOMACY AT CANBERRA

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 24053, 15 September 1943, Page 3

DIPLOMACY AT CANBERRA

INVITATIONS TO DINNER FOR MRS ROOSEVELT

HIGH COMMISSIONERS OMITTED From Our Own Correspondent SYDNEY, September 7. Canberra, seat of social formality;in Australia, was disturbed when the invitations ’ went out for the official dinner' to Mrs Rdosevelt at Government House. The hopes of ambitious' “socialites” were dashed, but there' was genuine criticism of some omissions.

was a feeling , that no matter how limited the .accommodation:' 6f.-.the State dining-hall, invitations should have been sent to the High Commissioners of the United Kingdom (Sir Ronald Cross), New Zealand (Mr C.A. Berendsen), and Canada (Mr Justice T, C, Davis).

Unofficially it was explained that only 26 seats were available for guests at die dinner and invitations had been issued in strict accordance with diplomatic procedure. Heads of foreign legations, having Ministerial status, were invited, according to the diplomatic scale, ahead of the high commissioners. The high commissioners were invited to the reception at night, but there was acid comment when it was learned that their secretaries* and staffs had not been invited. These officials, however, received an invitation later in the day.

Blame for the lack of accommodation in the banquet hall was fastened on those responsible for the remodelling of Government House just before the war, in expectation of the Duke and Duchess of Kent taking up residence, Expenditure on renovations and extensions was nearly £IOO,OOO.