DOMINIONS OFFICE

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 35, 11 February 1937, Page 9

DOMINIONS OFFICE

ABOLITION MOVE

SOUTH AFRICAN REPORT

OFFICIAL DOUBTS

United Press Association—By Electric Tele^

graph—Copyright.)

(Received February 11. 10.40 a.m.)

LONDON, February 10,

The "Morning Post's" Johannesburg i correspondent says that there is reason j to believe that several Dominions, in-1 eluding South Africa, Australia, and Canada, will urge the abolition of the Dominions Office at the Imperial Conference. It is felt that more efficient and speedier results would be achieved if the Dominions have direct representation in British Ministerial Departments. The question of a common foreign policy for the whole Empire is. also likely to be raised. Whitehall is not disposed to take the reported South African suggestion very seriously. It is understood that no official representations on the matter have been made from the Dominions. It is pointed out that in any case the Dominions Office is an integral part of the structure of the British Government and that it,would be as reasonable for the Dominions to demand its abolition as for the United Kingdom to demand the abolition of the Dominions' Departments of External Affairs. It is considered that the Johannesburg report may not have the slightest official backing. Inquiries made by the Australian Associated Press agency suggest that while the future of the Dominions Office has not yet been the subject of representations, the subject may possibly be raised at the Imperial Conference. There is a feeling in some of the Dominions in favour of simplification of the Imperial machinery- The High Commissioners at present are in direct contact from time to time with separate Government Departments through the Dominions. Office and are kept informed.

A suggestion which is unofficially mooted in some quarters is that the Lord Privy Seal, whose duties are nominal, might be an official Dominions representative. It is considered necessary to have some clearing house for Dominion affairs to preyent overlapping and departmental friction.