IMPERIAL RELATIONS

Grey River Argus, 29 July 1925, Page 5

IMPERIAL RELATIONS

WAR OBLIGATIONS

Dominion Rights (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) (Received July 28 at 7.50 p.m.) ‘LONDON, July 27. Al the British Commonwealth Lnbcur Conference, there was a debate on the question of the Inter Commonwealth relations. It was opewd by Mr Tun. Johnson, of Ireland. He pointed out that the time has come when the eon stituent countries of the Empire should consider their position in the event of Britain becoming involved i».i another war. The Irish view was that they should not be committed to entering a war against their will. Mr Sampson (cf the South African Legislative Assembly) uttered a warning against the danger of attaching too much importance, to the question of constitutional relations to exclusion of the important consideration of improving social and economic conditions.

Miss Ilcagney (Australian delegate) emphasised that the Governments cf Australia, during the last fifteen years had found their constitutional relation ships were largely controlled by the Imperial Government, and it was in the hope of giving the Common wealth greater control of its own affairs that a memorial lias been 'presented Downing Street asking fur the appointment of Australians as GovcrnersGeneral. The question was remitted to a committee. Present System of Secrecy SEMI-DIPLOMATIC MACHINERY. (Reuter.) (Received July 28 nt 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, July 27. In the Commons, Mi- Amery, in detailing the procedure for informing tr.Dominions, said that the i'.iformation which the British Government at present circulated could advantageously be supplemented by information s -n--individually to each Dominion Gcvnimont by some representative directly under the order of that Government, who eouhl have access to all sources of information; ami who knew in what his Government were particularly interested. Australia, during the last hall' year, had such a special liaison i-lfieer in England, who, undoubtedly, was very serviceable in keeping his Prime Ali'iiister in touch with the progress of affairs. The British Gove's, incut was equally willing to accord t t same facilities to the other Dominions. Asked whether the Australian repiesentative had access to the Cabinet papers, Air Amciv replied that he ha-, access to all confidential papers. He was regarded as the personal repres r.tativo of the — ' ' ‘of Australia, and, in that capacity, could see whatever the Prime Minister of Au..tralia himself might wish to see. Emphasising the development of the telegraphic consultation with the Dominions, Air Amery said that in addition to a mass of information sent to the Dominions by every mail, over 120 telegrams, many of great length, were sent to the Dominions dur>.ig the past eight months. The bulk of these directly concerned the Protocol or security "•irope.

He proceeded to pay a tribute to the work of the Empire Parliamentary Association, and to. the value of direct intercourse between the Empire’s I’..' lianteiilary representative.

Mr J. 11. Thomas interrupting, asked whether when it is necessary, l-r Mr Ainer-v to summon the High Commissioners, the liaison officers should also attend.

Air Amery replied ’LX liaison officer’s mission is to deni with specific matter:-: of high policy eomniuuieatcd direct y to the Dominions, but which, at an ' rate, until the Dominica Governments decide otherwise, are not to be handled through the High Commissioners and, therefore, the particular occasion whieii

those '"’s not yet arisen; but, valuable as this means of fuller info mation might be to a Dominion Government Tn the ease of a relatively junior officer like a linii'i officer, we are equally willing to ex tend the same principle, if desired, t - siu-h senior authoritative I'epreseiitntive whether high commissioners or otherwise, whom the Dominion Government.' would ctire. to appoint, not merely f<>.' the purpose cf securing lirst-lucml information, but for the purpose of confidential consultation with the Briti h Government on any mat tor whereon their Government might wish to be advised, or have a discussion.”