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Taranaki Daily News, 12 June 1926, Page 13

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BRITAIN AND DOMINIONS. THE GREATEST FREEDOM. SIR JAMES ALLEN'S VIEWS. By Telegraph—Press Ass*.—Copyright Received June 11, 5.5 p.m. London, June 10. "Although we sometimes held different opinions on some aspects, we have come to the conclusion that we get the Greatest possible freedom under the Crown. The link binding us to the Crown will never be broken,” emphatically declared Sir James Allen, referring to the Dominions’ attitude towards England at the Colonial Institute’s farewell luncheon. Sir James Allen alluded to the South African flag incident. He said he was confident that South Africa would never break from the Crown. He said that if a real test came again, the Empire would be found as solid as it was in 19-14. “Some talk of separation; some of abandonment of the Union Jack, but they will all come to the conclusion that constant loyalty to the Royal charter will serve their purposes best.’’ Sir James Allen added that it was gratifying that the High Commissioners were much more closely associated than before, mainly as the result of the Wembley Exhibition. They now ,regularly met round the -table in Mr. Larkin’s office. Sir James suggested that Mr. L. C. M. S. Amery (Secretary for the Dominions) should inaugurate a system of enabling officers to visit the Dominions to obtain personal experience, which would be extraordinarily valuable when they were appointed to more important positions. The High Commissioner’s positions were more responsible than they were a decade ago. Sir James Allen referred to Mr. Amery’s weekly meeting with the High Commissioners to discuss Dominion affairs, at which he explained the aspirations of the Mother Country, and discussed foreign affairs. Sir Charles Lucas, who presided, read an Apology from Mr. Amery for his absence, in which he described Sir James Allen as “one of the most esteemed and affectionate High Commissioners.”