STATUS OF DOMINIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 December 1924, Page 7

STATUS OF DOMINIONS.

EMPIRE AND THE LEAGUE

IRISH FREE STATE TREATY. A DOMESTIC MATTER. CONFERENCE QUESTIONS By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Dec. 21. 5.5 p.m. London, Dec. 19. The president of tl|> Council of the League of Nations Union (Professor Gilbert Murray), in a speech at the Caxton Hall, alluding to the objection to the Irish Free State registering with the League of Nations treaty constituting it a Dominion, pointed out that any dispute about a treaty among members of the British Empire went to the Privy* Council, such a dispute ibeing very much better settled inside than by calling in foreigners. Imperial lawyers should try to define exactly the meaning of ‘•within the British Empire” and the exact relations of the Dominions to themselves and to the Mother Country.

Professor Murray expressed the opinion that it was quite clear in the meantime that the British Government was right in not. handing over an agreement between the Mother Country and one part of the Empire straight t>ff to foreign tribunals to settle.

Insistence by a section of the French Press that Britain's action in ruling out the Irish Treaty with the League betokens a change in the Dominions* status at neetings of. the League caused many political inquiries, but it can be stated' authoritatively that no change is involved, though a desire exists that the Empire delegation should, if possible. as a preliminary, agree on the major issue, such as the Geneva protocol. This and other subjects will be included in matters to be discussed at an early Imperial Conference.' The Central News Agency states that the conference will be held in London In February, but this at present is not confirmed. It is admitted, however, that the Foreign Office, in moving for a postponement of the protocol at Geneva, was actuated wholly by a desire for full consultation with the Dominions, which it was felt was better achievable by personally conferring. Most of the other topics at the forthcoming conference concern the Colonial Office, it is believed Cabinet will be ready to take up anew the question of the Dominions’ relationships. In fact it is hinted that any reasonable plan mutually agreed upon between the Dominions within the limit of public policy will not be rejected by Britain, even to the extent of resident Ministers forming a kind of Imperial Cabinet. Meanwhile, on such difficulties as Egypt, the Dominions will be promptly informed.

The Foreign Office's maxim is that the League must not interfere in the Empire’s internal affairs. These must come before Empire authorities first, and not before the League.

The Daily Telegraph, commenting on the Government's decision regarding the protocol conference, cays: “It would never do for Britain to accept the protocol, and the Dominions to withhold their assent. Britain. speaks for the Dominions in the council of the League but in the assembly the Dominions speak for themselves. It is the council which is supremely important. When questions of peace or war arise, with which the protocol is primarily concerned, we hesitate even to contemplate the possibility of Britain speaking for the Empire in the council and then have one of the Dominions repudiating liability for any committal. Yet that is what might happen if Britain should ratify the protocol without the Dominions' cordial concurrence.”

DOMINIONS HAVE NO VOTE. A FRENCH INTERPRETATION. Received Dec. 20, 5.5 p.m. Paris, Dec. 19. “The British Note regarding the registration of the Irish Treaty must .be withdrawn ..or it will cause the Dominions to leave the League.” This is the opinion of the Era Nouvelle, which declares that members of the League arc equal, whereas if the Dominions are f imply satellites, voting at British dictation. they must and cannot participate, because thereby Britain has seven votes compared with the one vote of other Powers.