The Dominion THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 1926 THE MACHINERY OF EMPIRE

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 99, 21 January 1926, Page 6

The Dominion THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 1926 THE MACHINERY OF EMPIRE

Some cabled observations by the London Times credit this country with a rather bolder step than it is yet taking in the matter of providing improved facilities for inter-imperial consultation. The British newspaper apparently assumes that a special department is to be created in New Zealand to deal solely with Imperial affairs. Actually Mr. Coates has announced the impending creation of a Prime Minister’s Department to which there will be attached a special officer “whose duty will be chiefly confined to Imperial and external affairs.”

It may be hoped and expected, however, that the nucleus thus provided will be developed to whatever extent is necessary to bring this country into really effective touch with Great Britain and with the other Dominions. The Times undoubtedly is right in contending that without continuous consultation the doctrine of equality of status becomes unreal and almost meaningless, and further that: “Without proper machinery, not only in Britain but also in the Dominions, continuous consultation is impossible.”

This is a fair statement of the facts. Our days of unquestioning dependence on the Mother Country are over. In common with other Dominions, we now claim a voice in determining the foreign policy of the Empire. The justice of the claim is admitted freely by Great Britain, and it is for the Dominions to take the opportunity that is offered them of playing a responsible and understanding part in shaping the policy of the Empire.

In the conditions that are now to be established, working experience no doubt will point the way to the further developments of machinery for inter-imperial communication that are needed in this country. Obviously it does not cover all the ground that provision is being made for the methodical consideration of communications from Britain and from the other Dominions, and that the Prime Minister, under the contemplated reorganisation of Ministerial duties, will be able to give more time and attention to these communications than has hitherto been possible. It is desirable that not only the Government, but Parliament and the people of the Dominion, should be brought into closer touch with Imperial affairs and with questions of Imperial foreign policy which are of moment to the whole Empire. A practical step in this direction, and one thoroughly in keeping with the progressive policy adopted by the Prime Minister, would be taken by setting up a Parliamentary Committee of Imperial affairs. Many communications passing between the Governments of the Empire are necessarily of a confidential nature, but the hands of our own Government and others undoubtedly will be strengthened if Parliament and the public arc posted as far as possible on various questions.as. they develop. A familiar knowledge of Imperial affairs and of foreign affairs as they effect the Empire is not, of course, likely to be attained speedily by any considerable section in this country. We have few serious students of Imperial and foreign affairs in or outside Parliament. It is hardly less necessary to alter this state of affairs than to make adequate provision for consultation between the Governments of the Empire. The two problems, indeed, are vitally connected.

At a long view, our own Government and those of other Dominions must be backed by a force of instructed opinion in Parliament and amongst the people if they are to act with enterprise, decision, and foresight in helping to shape the policy of the Empire. For a time the proceedings of a Parliamentary Committee of Imperial affairs in this country could have little practical bearing on the larger and more important issues of policy. Such a body might serve a very valuable purpose, however, in assisting to develop an Imperial outlook—an outlook based on a growing understanding of what the treatment of Imperial questions really means to this country and its people.

lhe efficiency of inter-imperial consultation necessarily will continue to be affected in ,a very important degree by the arrangements made for the representation of the Dominions in London, and here as in other directions there is plainly room for progressive change. ' The objections raised by Sir James Allen and other High Commissioners to the separation of the political and commercial functions they at present exercise seem to relate chiefly to a system that is no longer advocated—the representation of the Dominions in London by Cabinet Ministers.

All undoubtedly strong case is made out for the appointment by each Dominion of a quasi-diplomatic representative. With commercial affairs relegated to a separate trade commissioner, such a representative would be free to concentrate tjndividedly on the task of keeping his own Government in close touch and understanding with the British Government on affairs of mutual concern. With Sir James. Allen’s retirement in near prospect, a revision of our representation in London on these lines deserves serious consideration.