EMPIRE POLICY

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 1, 1 July 1938, Page 9

EMPIRE POLICY

DOMINIONS' INTEREST

CLOSER CONSULTATION URGED

COMMONS QUESTION

(British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, June 29. The Prime Minister's attention was called in the House of Commons today to a, recent speech by Mr. R. G. Menzies, Australian AttorneyGeneral and Minister of Industries, advocating consultations between the Governments of the British Commonwealth on foreign affairs. Mr. Chamberlain was asked if, in agreement with the Dominion Governments, he would take steps, to establish machinery with a view to securing adequate consultation on the main aspects of foreign affairs.

Mr. Chamberlain replied: "The House is aware that principles covering the system of communication and consultation between his Majesty's several Governments on foreign affairs are now well established. The machinery at present in force has been devised to give full effect to those principles. The present system is being constantly watched, and Britain is alwatys ready to consider practical proposals for improving this machinery."

Asked if the Dominion Governments would have an opportunity to help shape British foreign policy and not be asked merely to approve or disapprove particular' aspects of it, Mr. Chamberlain said: "As Mr. Menzies said, I think, in his speech, international events cannot always wait while the family is having chats round the fireside, but we do take every possible opportunity of keeping the Dominion Governments fully informed of developments in foreign policy." • .