USE OF TERM “DOMINION”

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25227, 4 July 1947, Page 7

USE OF TERM “DOMINION”

MR ATTLEE CONFIRMS DISCONTINUANCE

“TITLES NO LONGER APPROPRIATE” (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

LONDON, July 2. The Prime Minister (Mr Attlee) in the House of Commons today, confirmed that the titles of Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs and the Dominions Office will be changed to Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and Commonwealth Relations Office respectively. “It has for some time past been clear that in certain quarters, both here and overseas, the view has been taken that the titles of Secretary of State for the Dominions and the Dominions Office are no longer entirely appropriate, and are liable to convey a misleading impression of the relations between the United Kingdom and the other members of the Commonwealth,” said Mr Attlee.

‘‘His Majesty’s Government, accordingly, has reached the conclusion that it is desirable that these titles should now be changed, and steps are accordingly being taken under the Ministers (Transfer of Functions) Act to alter the titles to Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and Commonwealth Relations Office respectively.” The Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs (Viscount Addison) made a similar announcement in the House of Lords. The Marquess of Salisbury, for the Conservatives, said they welcomed the change. He said that sometimes the other self-governing nations of the Empire were regarded as Dominions of Great Britain, whereas they were actually Dominions of the King and on an equal footing with the United Kingdom. Approval was also expressed by Lord Samuel, for the Liberals. He said that the term “colony” became out of date and was replaced by “Dominion” and the time was now ripe for another change. Lord Addison said that the Prime Ministers of South Africa, New Zealand, Canada, and Australia had been consulted before the contemplated change was introduced and they all welcomed it.

The phrase in the King’s full official style, “and of the British Dominions beyond the seas,” will presumably be dropped. Thousands of official documents will have to be altered when the change comes into effect, probably in a few weeks’ time.