STATUS OF DOMINIONS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 16113, 30 April 1923, Page 9

STATUS OF DOMINIONS.

SIGNING OF TREATIES.

THE CANADIAN PRECEDENT.

LONDON April 10.—A leading article in The Times discusses the points of disagreement with regard to the treaty powers of the Dominions. . The writer declares that the Britjsh Government, although abstaining from making a full announcement on ...the question, whole-heartedly accepts the principle of absolute equality of status between Great Britain and the Dominions. Tho British Government reminds the Dominions, however, that a treaty, signed in the King's name, cannot rest exclusively upon the responsibility of one nation of llje British Commonwealth, even though that nation may bo desirous and capable of bearing the responsibility alone. In tho "concluding portion of the article the writer warmlv advocates the ippointment of special Dominion Ministers for the purpose of regular discussion •villi the Imperial authorities on foreign affairs.

Canada recently concluded a treaty with the United States respecting coastwise maritime activities, and for the first time in tlie history of. the Dominions the Canadian Government insisted that it should sign the treaty instead of : the British' Ambassador at Washington , (Sir Auckland Geddes) doing thisAt first the British Government appeared to demur on the ground that any treaty subscribed to by any Dominion, necessarily involved the whole Empire, for which tho Mother Country had always acted. Sir Auckland Gcddes pressed this point, emphasising tho fact that the League of Nations recognise only the British Empire, and that the Washington Treaty expressly contains mention of the British Empire and not of Great Britain or the Dominions. Tho Canadian Government, however, insisted, and tho treaty was signed by the Canadian Minister, and controversy now rages as to whether this act and compliance by Great Britain has given the several Dominions authority to negotiate and sign treaties without reference to the British Government. .