BRITAIN AND DOMINIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19373, 8 January 1925, Page 7

BRITAIN AND DOMINIONS

CONSULTATIONS ON FOREIGN MATTERS. EFFORTS TO SECURE CONFERENCE. fVHAT MR MACDONALD DID. 4 Press Associate —By Telegraph— Copyright. LONDON, January 6. (Received January 7, at 9.30 p.m.) Mr Ramsay MacDonald’s unavailing efforts to secure a dominion conference. to examine the adequacy of the existing system of consultation on matters of foreign policy which were of general Imperial interest are, revealed in a White Paper now published, containing correspondence on the subject between tho Bntish and dominion Governments. Mr MacDonald, in a telegram, on June 25, expressed the Government’s anxiety that the dominions were being inadequately consulted, and suggested a conference of two representatives from each dominion to consider the problem. Mr Bruce’s reply, dated July 16, contained tho first suggestion for the appointment of a Liaison Officer in the High Commissioner's office to deal with urgent foreign questions. Ho pointed out that macliinery ensuring a common Empire policy already existed in the_ shape of Imperial Conference, a change from which was neither necessary nor desirable. Mr Bruce appealed for fuller regular advice on foreign affairs from the Imperial Government, pointing out that the greatest efforts should be made to anticipate questions requiring an urgent decision instead of informing the dominions after a decision Itad been made and acted upon. Tho views of the dominion Governments should be given greater consideration, otherwise tho efiorts to formulate a common policy would be futite Subsequently Now Zealand, Canada, South Africa, and Newfoundland expressed their willingness to participate in a preliminary conference. Mr Bruce cabled on August 22 that ho still adhered to his views, but was prepared to co-operate with the others on the principle that anything remotely tending to improve Anglo-Dominion relations was worthy of a trial. Owing to delays in fixing the dato of the conference Canada suggested an indefinite postponement. On September 13, Mr J. H. Thomas circularised the dominions stating that it was impossible to suggest a date, and Mr L. C. Amery disposed of tho matter in a circular on December 2 stating that correspondence disclosed considerable doubt aa to the advisablenees of taking action in tho sense of Mr MacDonald’s message. It was generally agreed that the time was not ripe to revive the idea of a special conference, though ultimately, after some hesitation, all Hie dominions agreed to participate in on inquiry. The Government, while fully in agreement with Mr MacDonald's principles of consultation and concerted action, questions whether an inquiry of tho nature suggested would lead to practical results. Nevertheless, it insists that a personal consultation on the Geneva Protocol is essential—Sydney Sun Cable.