THE NORTHERN ADVOCATE Registered for transmission through the Post as a newspaper. FRIDAY MAY 7. 1943. A Commonwealth Conference Proposal

Northern Advocate, 7 May 1948, Page 6

THE NORTHERN ADVOCATE Registered for transmission through the Post as a newspaper. FRIDAY MAY 7. 1943. A Commonwealth Conference Proposal

Recent developments in Western Europe, the Middle East and the Far East, have impressed upon British people the desirability of improving means by which units of Empire may consult one another upon matters affecting foreign affairs

In view of 'his it is not surprising to hear that the British Government lias expressed its willingness to hold a conference of delegates of the British Commonwealth, and is planning to hold it as soon as possible. A statement to this efiect was made by the Prime Minister, Mr Attlee, during the Foreign Affairs debate in the House of Commons this week.

Mr Attlee was moved to make this announcement as an outcome of several Opposition members stressing the need for the Commonwealth as a whole to be safeguarded when vital matters, such as the Western Union of Europe, were undei discussion.

Mr R. A. Butler, who led the Opposition's reply to the statement of Government policy made by the Foreign Secretary, said it was important that Britain’s foreign policy should be not only far-seeing but far-ranging.

In this connection he pointed out that there were danger points in the Middle East and Far East, which were of vital significance to the Commonwealth.

For that reason there should be provided machinery which would allow the units of the Empire to express their viewpoints.

The Prime Minister replied that the Commonwealth Governments had been consulted in regard to the Western Union, of which they} had given general approval.

Doubtless the British Government has acquainted Commonwealth Governments with all that has been done in regard to the Western Union, for example, but in view of the fact that the interests of the Dominions and Colonies are intimately concerned in any decisions made by the Home Government, there has developed a feeling that the Dominions should have a voice in discussions and negotiations preceding decisions, which, once made, must almost of necessity be approved. Though inherent difficulties are recognised, there is unquestionably strong reason why something in the nature of Commonwealth participation in discussion of foreign affairs should be a continuing practice; on

occasions in other years the cart has been put before the horse, and the Dominions have found themselves pledged willy nilly to polic ; es which have been costly in life and treasure.

This is not to suggest that the Dominions would have vetoed the decisions of the British Got eminent of the day, for there was then, is now. and always will be agreement, so far as New Zealand, at any rate, is concerned, that “where Britain goes we go."

That, however, does not affect the contention that units of the Commonwealth should be afforded facilities for discussion of all matters of foreign policy before, not after, decision has been reached by the British Parliament, for mutual discussions must inevitably strengthen any action Taken by the Commonwealth.

These considerations recall a suggestion which the late Sir Josepn Ward made many years ago, when he attended an Imperial Conference on behalf of New Zealand.

Visualising the emergence of vital questions affecting British foreign policy in the years to come, he urged the establishment of an Empire Parliament representative of the Commonwealth.

Slowness of communications in those days, six or seven weeks’ sea travel separating New Zealand and Britain, was regarded as an effective obstacle to the implementing of Sir Joseph Ward's proposal, which was not pursued, though it has never been forgotten.

Conquest of space and distance by planes, and the development of the radio-telephone have changed the relationships of units of the Commonwealth with the Mother of Parliaments, and it is now possible for the leaders of Dominion Governments to gather in London within a week of their departure from their own capitals. In these circumstances a full British Commonwealth Conference, as as suggested by Mr Attlee, could, if necessary, be held in London before the present month has run its course, though a cable message suggests it will be held before the end of 1943.

As an emergency measure, a hasty gathering of Empire representatives would perhaps be justified, but the emergency should serve to focus attention upon the evolution of a properly constituted institution whose voice would be that of the Commonwealth.