DANGER OF IGNORANCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19700, 29 January 1926, Page 10

DANGER OF IGNORANCE.

WHAT DOMINIONS LACK. EMPIRE AM) FOREIGN AFFAIRS. NEED OF TRAINED DIPLOMATS. (i eom Ode Own Corbespondest.) LONDON, December 18. Lieut-commander the Hon J. M. Kenworthy, R.N., M.P., in the Referee, writes: — “The Empire has never been stronger or more united ; but the control and organisation of its foreign policy is far behind the needs of the present day. In theory the Foreign Office in Whitehall alone manages the relations of the Empire with foreign countries. Our Diplomatic Service has always tried to be a law to itself, has resisted control even by the Imperial Parament, and has been slow to appreciate the changed position of the great self-gov-, eming Dominions." Tracing Foreign Affairs and the Empire from the days of the South African War right up to the current year, he says: “The Locarno Pact is generally recognised as the greatest step forward towards permanent peace made since the outbreak of war. So far, none of the dominions except New Zealand have ratified it, and though they will probably do so, the matter is in a state of doubt. This is altogether unsatisfactory. It is true they were all invited to attend the Locarno Conference, but in both Australia and Canada general elections of great importance were either in progress or approaching, and it was impossible for th« dominion representative to attend. “This state of affairs obviously cannot continue. The next trouble that may arise will probably come unexpectedly except to those in the inner councils of tne Government; it might, for example, be with Turkey over Mosul. Beyond the dispatch of voluminous cables, documents, and correspondence from Whitehall to the capitals of the dominions, there is no real method of inter-consultation and co-operation, and communications by cable and letter over thousands of miles are unsatisfactory." DEARTH OF DIPLOMATS. Certain things that have happened of late show the need of an immediate reorganisation of the Diplomatic Service of the Empire. Commander Kenjworthy continues : “One of the difficulties is that the dominions have, at present no trained diplomats. But in view of the mess the trained diplomats have made the world generally, this might not be a disadvantage. What is obviously required is that the dominion Governments should be kept fully informed of all relations and policies concerning the external affairs of the Empire. I suggest that every, dominion Government be invited to send a fully accredited representative to London for six months at a time. He should not come for longer, in order not to be out of touch with Ms own public. Also competent Ministers, Peers, high officials, or other personages of rank should be sent frequently from Whitehall to each one of the dominions to lay relevant before the Governments of these dominions and to consult not only with the Government in power but with the statesmen in opposition who form the alternative governments. ... H. is necessary' that all parties in the dominions should be consulted from time to time. THE REAL DANGER. “If the dominions desire diplomatic representatives in foreign countries, such a development should be welcomed by' the Home Government. The more the Dominion Government are informed of what is going on in Europe and elsewhere, and the more these representatives consult with our own ambassadors- and diplomats abroad, the better. There is no danger to the Empire except ignorance. But, unless there is- a full exchange of information and complete co-operation, so far as circumstances will permit, in all our dealings with foreign powers, between the Home Government and the Dominion Government®, a situation may »rise in which the shadowy but very powerful threads holding the Empire together may be injured or broken.”