VOICE OF THE PRESS

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 125, 23 November 1926, Page 9

VOICE OF THE PRESS

NOT A. NEW DEPARTURE.

(Published in The Times.) (Received 23rd November, 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, 22nd November. "The Times," in a leader, describes iho inter-Imperial Relations Report as essentially a register of existing conditions rather than a programme of the future. It is a courageous, ingenious, and comprehensive document, probably unparalleled, but it is wrong to say that it is a new departure or a far-Teaching Constitutional experiment. There is hardly a statement of, definition not coinciding with familiar practice. The preamble, for instance, includes a description of the Empire in language only saved by tho italics being almost incidental. It may have uses for quotation to suspicious Nationalists, but that is all. Then conies a trifling change in the Royal title, but the clause dealing with the position of Governors-General is more important because it definitely raises an anomalous and dual system whereby the Governor-General is both tho King's representative and the for-

mal channel of communication with His Majesty's Ministers in London. What matters enormously is the development of a system of personal contact between London and the Dominion capitals. That is a practical necessity, and it is brought into first prominence. It has always existed, and is being met by various provisional expedience, Australia loading by the appointment of a personal representative of the Prime Minister. England and the other Dominions may adopt the Australian practice, or welcome in their own countries political representatives of the British Government. The report does not recommend uniformity, but emphasies a problem which clearthinking, practical experience alone can solve clearly. There is no disposition to abandon the Judicial Committee as tho final appeal in appropriate cases. The principle that it is each Dominion Government's right to advise the Crown on all matters relating to its own affairs is the keynote of all tho Conference's recommendations, and as far as Britain is concerned there is neither doubt nor discord in Tegard to that matter. The real difficulty has always been to interpret it to the outside world. '' Are wo a single unit for purposes of diplomacy or half a dozen units?" "The Times" asks. COMPLETE EQUALITY. The "Daily Mail" in a leader says: "The report clearly lays down complete equality of the Dominions with Britain, and should therefore satisfy all their aspirations. It does not alter essential conditions. For years the Dominions have in practice been independent of Britain, and of equal status to her. Tho alteration in the King's title changes nothing of importance. The Empire is bound together, not by logic, force, or arbitrary compacts, but by allegiance to the Crown, by common interest, and common ties which freedom and tho enjoyment of Constitutional Government impose. For a generation and moro it has been a commonplace that the union of the Empire is a personal ono through the Sovereign, and it gives the Crown extraordinary importance and influence which is bound to grow in years to come." The "Daily News" in a leader declares: "This able and far-reaching report is an adequate and significant expression of a progressive civilisation keenly alive to its duties and place in the international scheme of things, and thoroughly aware of its own destiny. Tho Dominions' equal status is fixed beyond doubt in language apparentlysatisfying to General Hortzog's mystical theories, and the national sensibilities of the New Ireland. Yet the general effect envisages a closer unity and greater inherent strength." "MASTERPIECE OF EVASION." Tho "Daily Herald" characterises tho report as a masterpiece of evasion which produced a few high-sounding phrases, and advised changes in the formulae, but avoided every real problem which arises from the present anomalous relations between Britain tfnd tho Dominions. Tho "Herald" comments: "It is ludicrous that the committee feared to tackle such a question as appeals to tho Privy Council." The "Daily Express" says the report loaves the position regarding'lmperial relations much as before, "but this is tho best thing that could happen. The country will 'welcome negative results, because it realises the seemingly para-, doxical truth that the more loosely-knit the British Empire is the more securely aro tho parts bound together." Tho "Daily Telegraph's" diplomatic correspondent says it is surprising that there is no reference to direct reprsentation on the League of Nations Council.