The Press TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1954. A Commonwealth Conference

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27502, 9 November 1954, Page 12

The Press TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1954. A Commonwealth Conference

As the Commonwealth has settled into the new shape it has taken since the end of the war, a practical trend towards formalism in Commonwealth relations has become apparent, even though in theory all the Commonwealth units are strongly opposed to formal ties. The Asian members, indeed, strenuously oppose formalism; they would have nothing to do with a Commonwealth whose members were bound by contractual ties. But the recurring Commonwealth economic crises in recent years have compelled the units of the Commonwealth to consult for their common economic protection; and the results of consultation have

i demonstrated the great advantages to be gained from united decisions and joint action. The healthier Commonwealth economy has grown out of commonly agreed economic action. Achievements in the economic field may nevea.be matched in the political field. Nevertheless, in this field, also, consultation has improved, normally through the High Commissioners of the Commonwealth governments and on special occasions

through conferences at the highest political level. In effect these conferences are Commonwealth councils, a cherished concept of the formalists.

It is satisfactory to learn that another of these councils is to open in London at the end of January and is to be a meeting of Commonwealth Prime Ministers. Sir Winston Churchill’s announcement implies that the invitations have been accepted. A full meeting of Commonwealth Prime Ministers at this time would have a great deal to discuss. As economic affairs do not now bear so heavily on Commonwealth considerations, the Prime Ministers will be able to devote much of their time to political affairs. As Sir Winston Churchill says, many things of great importance in the international world have taken place since the ** Corona- “ tion conference ” of Commonwealth Prime Ministers. The situation in the Middle East has been transformed by the - Egyptian agreement

agreement and the consequent planned withdrawal from the Suez base. Sir Winston Churchill has declared that the whole concept of strategic planning has been changed by the development of the hydrogen bomb. Britain has made a long-term commitment to keep troops and a tactical air force on the Continent of Europe. The collapse of the French in Indo-China has weakened the Western position in South-east Asia. Though th® Commonwealth force in Korea has been substantially reduced, the Commonwealth retains a strong interest in developments there and in adjacent Japan. Western German sovereignty, the rearmament of Western Germany, and 1 Western Germany’s admission to the ! North Atlantic Treaty Organisation I (with which Britain and Canada, are associated) are now questions of practical politics. And among major questions, of course, is that of relations with the Communist Powers and of “ coexistence ” with them. It is not to be expected that after

the consultation and discussion of the Prime Ministers the Commonwealth will be in a position to speak on these questions with a single voice. Opinions on some questions are widely divided, notably Mr Nehru’s divergence from all the others (including Pakistan) on policies to halt the march of communism through South-east Asia. But the exchange of views and information will be all gain. There will be profit also in the discussions as they touch, questions of strained relations among members of the Commonwealth. No doubt some time will be devoted to economic affairs, chief among them the question of convertibility of sterling. There may be much to discuss at the highest Commonwealth level in the results of the current conference of the adherents to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. Sufficient notice has been given to allow ample time for an the governments to prepare for the conference. The January “Commonwealth Council” should demonstrate more emphatically than ever before the advantages of consultation among a group of nations who have so much to gain—and to give to the rest of the world —from close association.