IMPERIAL RELATIONS

Taranaki Daily News, 4 November 1926, Page 9

IMPERIAL RELATIONS

POWERS OF GOVERNORS A BROADER CONSTITUTION QUESTION OF TREATIES PRIVY COUNCIL PROCEDURE By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Nov. 3, 5.5 p.m. London, Nov. 3. From 4.30 p.m. to 7.15 the Premiers sat at the round table discussing the general aspects of inter-imperial affairs. A good deal of time was devoted to the question of Privy Council procedure, and it is understood the question of the Dominions’ representation thereon was also mentioned. Though the range of Imperial subjects brought up was of the widest, no mention was made of the rights and prerogatives of Governor-Generals. Having got the man of her choice in succession to Lord Byng, Canada seems to have recovered from her pre-election tenderness, and Ireland, which a month ago talked of the right of direct approach to Downing Street, is understood to have decided that the mere formality of submitting the despatches through Governor-General Healy is not sufficient ground for raising the whole question of Crown representation. As one Freestater put it, “The i’s arc dotted and the t’s crossed. We say what we want to say and it gets to ‘No. 10 in due time, so really it is not worth any fuss.” Echoes from the conference rooms suggest that Mr. Mackenzie King is not living up to the pre-arrival prophecies that he would be one of the most outspoken critics of the existing order. Nor is Ireland magnifying difficulties. Received Nov. 3, 5.5 p.m. London, Nov. 2. Some of the thornier problems of in-ter-Imperial relations give the legal section of Earl Balfour’s sub-committee two hours’ close work in the afternoon in an endeavour to find common ground whereon the difficulties arising at Locarno will not recur, and accommodating the viewpoint expressed, notably by South Africa, in amicable debates which preceded to-day’s closer survey of the problems. It is understood that the main difficulty encountered is to get around treaty technicalities in such a way as to ensurt the Dominions’ acceptance after Britain has negotiated a treaty in full consultation with them. To-day’s discussion was not conclusive but is described as most valuable in producing an appreciation of one another’s difficulties. While it failed to reach any concrete proposals for modifications or alterations in status quo, or at any rate none that are yet committed to paper in the shape of resolutions, the tendency appears to be towards general declarations rather than towards rigid resolutions.