MINISTER AT WASHINGTON

Evening Star, Issue 22524, 17 December 1936, Page 11

MINISTER AT WASHINGTON

AUSTRALIA'S PROPOSAL miEBESTIKG SIDELIGHTS OK FOSITIOK Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright WASHINGTON, December 16. A canvass of opinion in informed British and American circles on Australia’s contemplated appointment of a Minister here, offered interesting sidelights on the position. It is pointed out that the American Government, which considers that a Dominion legation will be gratifying recognition of the importance of Washington as a diplomatic centre and frankly encourages such appointments, intimated to Mr Lyons on his visit last year that it would welcome an Australian Minister. It is stressed that the experiences of Canada, Ireland, and South Africa over a decade have negatived earlier contentions that such appointments mean a marked weakening of the bond of Empire. It is believed that dominion diplomatic representation in Washington _ has not only come to stay, but will inevitably grow. . British circles here are inclined to ask the question why the appointment of a trained young Australian from the External Affairs Department, a man from among the group which was first encouraged by Mr Bruce and is now being continued by Mr Lyons, as secretary of Australian-American -Affairs, with a room in the British Embassy, would not suffice for Australia’s diplomatic needs and prove even more satisfactory, due to the close contact with the Embassy. It is believed that during long conversations between President Roosevelt and Mr Lyons, the President intimated that Americans would warmly welcome an Australian legation, and that a lesser form of representation would hamper the American Government in carrying out its wish to appoint a Minister at Canberra. It is no secret, however, that British circles would pefer an Australian secretary, stressing the fact that in the case of other dominions special considerations dictated legations.