SUPPORT FROM REFORM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20640, 12 August 1930, Page 11

SUPPORT FROM REFORM.

LEGAL ADVISER SUGGESTED.

DECISIONS OF EXPERTS. EMPIRE DIPLOMATIC SERVICE. [BY TF.LEC.RArH. —SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON, Monday. As New Zealand's chief representative at the last Imperial Conference in 1926, special interest attached to the comments made by the Leader of the Opposition, the Eight. Hon. J. G. Coates, during the debate in the House to-day. Mr. Coates said he had listened with great interest to the Prime Minister's statement. The importance of the Imperial Conference was fully recognised and because of its importance he believed that there should be includod in the Dominion's delegation one who was possessed! of both legal knowledge and an insight into international affairs. One who had these qualifications was Sir Thomas Sidoy, and he hoped the Prime Minister would seriously consider taking Sir Thomas with him.

Tt was also gratifying to know that the Prime Minister maintained the traditional attitude toward the Mother Country which successive Governments had upheld. In that he had the full support of the Opposition side of the House.

New Dominion Status. Certain important matters had been referred by tho Imperial Conference of 1926 to a committee of experts, one of tho most vital questions relating to the new Dominion status. It had been well said that that conference had agreed to "equal status but not equal stature." Hitherto the British Parliament alone had had power to legislato beyond the boundaries of any one country, and the question arose whether the now Dominion status might not be construed as giving every Dominion without limit that power which tho British Parliament alone possessed.

The experts were called upon to decide how and in respect of what special matters the Dominions should have this special power. Whereas the conference of experts had been asked to do no more than suggest how tho doctrine of equality should be made workable, it had laid it down that the over-ruling principle was that of equality, and that therefore no limitations should be imposed. If that had been in the minds of tho Imperial delegates, the experts would have been asked to cJo something quite different, but it appeared that they had not carried out their task as they were requested. The 1930 conference was not bound to accopt tho decisions of the experts, and, in fact, it should not do so. They had apparently saved themselves labour by deliberately misconstruing the order of reference. Technical Assistance Needed.

Referring to foreign affairs, Mr. Coates said it was in his opinion essential that tho Dominions should have a staff well trained in Empire and foreign diplomacy and affairs in general. Each Prime Minister should have at his hand a man well-versed in foreign and Dominion affairs, who could advise upon detailed acts, opinions and historical happenings.

Ho advocated an extension of the interchange of men trained in Dominion affairs and a closer co-operation with the Foreign Office. In this respect, although it had to bo admitted that in the past New Zealand had been well served by that office both with advice and information, Mr. P. B. R. Nicholls, who had come to New Zealand on loan from the British Foreign Office, possessed all the attributes necessary for an exchange officer, and it was men of his type that should bo sought for the building up of a chain of efficient officers. There was a great chance for educational institutions throughout the country to train young men for the Empire's diplomatic services. It was gratifying to know that tho Government continued to recognise its obligations concerning the Singapore naval base. Great Britain was making a gesture to the world for peace, but that should not overshadow the demand for British sea power in the Pacitic.