AMBASSADORIAL RANK?

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12323, 18 December 1925, Page 7

AMBASSADORIAL RANK?

DOMINION HIGH COMMISSIONERS SOUTH AFRICANS URGE CHANGE DANGER IN INACTION AtistT&H&xL slid N.Z. Cablo Assocmtioii, Published in '"The Times." LONDON, December 16. The system of Dominion representation in London is again occupying the attention of a section of the South African Press, whose campaign for a drastic alteration is strongly supported by '-the Hon. P. Duncan, General Smuts, Leader of the Opposition, and Dr D. F. Malan, Minister of the Interior. Each High Commissioner, says Mr Duncan, shonld have the status and functions of an Ambassador instead of being as at present a combination of

glorified commercial traveller and a more or less affable handshaker,. who is supposed to ask his own Dominion visitors how they like London. The Rand “Daily Mail,” sharing this opinion urges that the problem is one for common action by the and expresses the hope that the next Imperial Conference will arrive at a complete agreement with regard to the necessity for such a change. If things are allowed to drift as tliev are now, adds Mr Duncan, the British Commonwealth of Nations will assuredly be reduced to a nullity.