HIGH COMMISSIONER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20842, 8 April 1931, Page 9

HIGH COMMISSIONER.

BRITAIN TO AUSTRALIA. APPOINTMENT TO BE MADE. LONDON, April 1. The Secretary of State for the Dominions, Mr. J. H. Thomas, stated in tho Houso of Commons to-day that a decision to appoint a British High Commissioner in Australia had already been reached.

He was unable to say, however, when tho selection was likely to be made, as there were still difficulties which had to be surmounted.

The House of Lords recently discussed a suggestion of Lord Denman's that a High Commissioner should represent the British Government in Australia. He pointed out that as a result of the definition of Dominion status at the Imperial Conference of 1926 fir Isaac Isaacs, the new Commonwealth Governor-General, represented only the King; and there was no direct channel of communication between the British and Australian Governments as such. A High Commissioner had proved most valuable in Canada. Earl Bcauchamp agreed and contended that Canberra was a most unsuitable centro from which to expect a GovernorGeneral to work.

Viscount Novar, a former GovernorGeneral, said ho deeply regretted that that person could no longer be a shockabsorber in any conflict between tho British and Australian Governments. Whilo possessing tho greatest admiration for Sir Isaac Isaacs, ho was afraid lest under the new method of appointment the post should como to be regarded as a party perquisite. He did not favour a multiplication of offices and contended that the Governor-General himself should be made an effective link between the Crown and the Dominions.

There was, however, general approval of Lord Dcnman's suggestion, which was supported by Lord Stanley of Alderley and by Lord Stonehaven, ex-Governor-General of Australia. Lord Stonehaven paid full tribute both to tho Australians' prido in their nationality and in their loyalty to the Crown. He said he thought tho representative of the King was tho best medium for discussions between Governments, but that tho British Government and tho British peoplo should havo also some representative. Lord Passficld, Colonial Secretary, hesitated to bo definite on a delicate topic. He pointed out that the new status of tho Governor-General was a direct outcome of tho two Imperial Conferences of 1926 and 1930. The question of British representation in Australia was under consideration, but nothing had yet been decided. It did not follow that because a High Commissioner had been so useful in Canada that kind of representation would best suit Australia. Lord Denman, being satisfied that his point was appreciated, did not matter furthor.