DIPLOMATIC

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 18 December 1924, Page 5

DIPLOMATIC

DOMINIONS’ POSITION. . IN COUNCILS OF EMPIRE. , TACIT acknowledgment. _ As has already been stated in the Hawera Star, the‘British Cabinet has decided to grant High Commissioners representing the Dominions, the immunity from taxation accorded to the Ambassadors of foreign, counlartes. This really means more ■ than would appear on the surface. It gives the representatives of the Dominions the power of ambassadors, and, consequently indicates that the status of the yarious Dominions in the .councils of the Empire is substantially enhanced. ' The monetary result of the. granting of immunity from taxation is a mere bagatelle—it is the acknowledgment of the position .of the Dominions in the great Commonwealth of Nations that is , significant. BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION-COPYRIGHT (Received Dec.'lß, 9.15 a.m.) LONDON, Dee. 17. The newspapers suggest that the British letter to the League witlireferenee to the Irish-treaty has raised a .delicate, question l affecting the Dominions within the League. Mr Larkin (Canada) explains that Mr Amery’s pron’ouiiceiiiCmt is the result of Mr Mackenzie King’s efforts at the last Imperial Conference. Mr Bonar Law in 1916 restricted the remission,.of taxation on the‘official incomes. df the .High Commissioners. The new remissions apply to all expenditure, whether personal or official, relating to licenses for motor cars, guns, man servants and private residences during the 'period, of High Commissionership. Canada always objected Liberia and the Balkan States were enjoying diplomatic privileges not conceded to the Dominions, but the extension of these privileges to the Bolshevist. Minister iii-Lon<loii induced a vigorous protect, resulting in Mr Amery’s pronouncement. The Daily Telegraph and Morning Post, commend Mr .Amery’s statement regarding tie High Commissioners’ post, and' interprets -its meaning that they are new formally . regarded as Ministers ol the Empire, each representing a ration; within the Empire. “7. s l . Imperial status the .United Kingdom is the headquarters of that Emphe, deriving its position, apart from, other considerations, from the circumstances that it is the seat of the,-King V Government. His Majesty is also had. of' every .Government in the Empre, and should the Royal Standardise Jipisted • in ; any one of the capitals if a Dominion there would the headquarters of Empire be as long as the ling remained in that place. The nev, arrangement, moreover, formally r/cognises',fhe ; right of. the Dominions to be consulted in all. matters of international policy by His Majesty’s Ministers, here.