THE COLONIAL OFFICE

Evening Star, Issue 14515, 5 November 1910, Page 5

THE COLONIAL OFFICE

THE PROPOSED CHANGER

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright

LONDON, November 4. * The 'Daily Chronicle' (G.) denies the statement that a. Secretary of State for the self-governing colonies will bo appointed. It 6QT6 that what is contemplated is a> permanent secretariat for the Overseas Dominions, who will be the oflieial spokesman , to the Prime Minister. The paper add? that tho change will not be introduced before the arrival in England of the Commonwealth Premier.

On. being interviewed. Sir William HallJones suggested that the innovation was merely a recognition of the fact that New Zealand and the other Dominions are developing so rapidly that it is essential that the Home Government should afford mora careful attention to their needs. He added that the Colonial Office had behaved excellently towards the Overseas Dominions in the paft, .t-nd that Lord Crewe had never failed them.

The • Daily News' (G ) says that- the Dom'ininns' grievance against the Colonial Office will not he met by giving a new Secretary* of State to themselves. The hulk of the Colonial Office'* worljiconcerns 11k- Crown colonics. The. Dominions Department will bo a very attenuated affair. What the Dominions want is the right of direct access to the Prime Minister, who will then he the Dominions' mouthpiece to the Foreign Secretary, (he War Office, an<? the Admiralty.