Australian Minister to Washington

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 298, 17 December 1936, Page 18

Australian Minister to Washington

AMERICA APPLAUDS; ENGLAND UNENTHUSIASTIC. United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. Received Wednesday, 7.55 p.m. WASHINGTON, Dec. 16. A canvass of opinion in informed British and American circles on Aus tralia’s contemplated appointment of a Minister here .offered interesting sidelights on the position. It was pointed out that the American Goverment, which considers a Dominion legation would be a gratifying recognition of the importance of Washington as a diplomatic centre and frankly encouraged such appointments, intimated to Mr Lyons on his visit last year that it would welcome an Australian Minister. It was stressed that the experiences ot 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 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 Externa] Affairs Department, a man from among the group which was first encouraged by Mr. Bruce and now continued by Mr. Lyons as Secretary for 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 in long conversations between President Roosevelt and Mr. Lyons, the president intimated that Americans would warmly welcome an Australian Legation and that the 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 prefer an Australian Secretary, stressing the fact that in the case of other Do minions special considerations dictated legations.