"A FAMILY OF NATIONS”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21148, 4 October 1930, Page 13

"A FAMILY OF NATIONS”

THE BRITISH COMMONWEALTH. ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION. WORK OF THE CONFERENCE. (British Official Wireless.) (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) RUGBY, October ,2. The desirability' of economic co-opera-tion figured prominently in the speeches at the Guildhall dinner to the dominion Prime Ministers'last night. The Canadian Prime Minister (Mr Dennett) s&id he considered the economic solidarity of the Empire to be as capable °f, achievement as the development of con stitutional liberation had been. , The Australian Prime Minister (Mr Scullin) said they hoped in this time of world trade depression to unite, their great Commonwealth, not only in bonds of sympathy, but in bonds of trade and economic co-operation. The New Zealand Prime Minister (Mr Forbes) pointed out they had within the Empire elements of self-help, and in the study of this the most important work of the conference would lie. Tluj markets ,of the outside world were often closed to them by barriers, and they must look more within their own family of nations than they had hitherto done for mutual help. A COMMUNIQUE ISSUED. HEADS OF DELEGATIONS MEET. LONDON, October 2. _Tfus morning’s communique states: The heads of delegations met at No, 10 Downing street to consider the best methods ot dealing with the agenda., As a preliminary they discussed some of the constitutional questions, and referred certain aspects of interimperial relations to a sub-committee under Lord Sankey's chairmanship. The heads of the delegations will meet again to-morrow. The General Committee of Economic Experts, further conferred with the Research Committee under Lord Pannoor’s chairmanship, and will meet' thia afternoon. QUESTION OF PUBLICITY. COMMUNIQUE CRITICISED. ' LONDON, October 2. The criticism of the baldness of the first communique bkd the TGsult in the instantaneous packing of the room for the 5.30 talk, at which' the Journalists had the satisfaction of seeing Mr Thomas take the spokesman’s chair and outline the arrangements under which' he, v at frequent, periods,' would give personal enlightment on the course of the ci>nference. He bore out bis previous statement;that in no way would*he 'seek to interpret the dominion viewpoints;, and, further, that there was not the slightest objection to Mr Scullin, Mr Forbes, or any other Prime Minister taking the, press; into his confidence whenever he chose. . .. . The first fact to emerge under tie new order of publicity was the early raising of the question of ! It is understood that it was Mr Scullin who introduced the-matter to the .conference, postulating • that the 1826' variation of dominion status -Justified direct . approach to the King on. the appointment of a Governor-General. COMMITTEES AT WORK. • (British Official,- Wireless.) ' ‘ . RUGBY, October 2. The preliminary discussion of some of the constitutional questions before the imperial Conference was ■ commenced today. It is. understood that one of the questions discussed concerned the Goyer-nors-General of the dominions as a whole,* more particularly in relation to their position as it is affected by the declarations of the 1926' conference regarding equality of status existing among the members ■ of. the British Commonwealth of Nations. , ’ Another matter that came under general review at to-day’s meeting was that of establishing an Empire tribunal for settling differences that, might arise between individual units of the British Commonwealth.' The heads of the delegations will r continue , their examination of these and other questions at a meeting to-morrow. Meanwhile the committees of the conference are at work and other committees arebeing established, these including, committees on mandates, arbitration and' disarmament, war graves, defence questions, civil .aviation, cables, Overseas ' settlement, arid forestry. NATIVErBORN GOVERNORS. AUSTRALIA’S DESIRE. ■ LONDON, October 2. There are grounds for believing that a certain amount of shyness has hereto been, shown by the other, dominion Prime Ministers, some of whom are inclined to think that Mr Scullin would be glad to be quit of the awkward problem of having a native-born Governor, and that he is trying to find a way to save his Cabinet’s face. ‘ Canada is unconcerned with the pro blem, and wants to get on with bigger things, notably economics: New Zealand is quite content to rely on Downing streets judgment to have the Imperial • link maintained through distinguished Britons, while .General Hertzog's de* meanour suggested that he was unwilling to add another shaft to the quiverful ol mischief. Seemingly none contested the right which Mr Scullin claimed, just as Mr Thomas says that none challenges the right of secession. Still a need exists for meeting all viewpoints about Governors, and Lord Sankey’s Committee, on which Mr Gamin will represent Australia, will thrash out. any acceptable formula, even should it be found a major question. Lord Sankey’s Committee will naturally make no attempt to trench on his Majesty’s prerogative. If Mr Scullin desires' to submit a group of Australian names for the Ring’s* consideration he Will still be free to do so, but whether his Majesty will approve is another mat ter. It may happen that alternative British names will be sent by Mr Scullin Nothing emerging from the conference -will impair the royal privilege, and nothing will change the natural course of events when the sovereign declines to accept his Minister’s advice.