BRITAIN AND THE DOMINIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 December 1930, Page 8

BRITAIN AND THE DOMINIONS.

There has been some curiosity among members of £he House of Commons as to the probable appointment of a High Commissioner to represent the Mother Country in Australia. It is, of course, because an Australian has been chosen by the King to take the high office of Governor-General that the subject is receiving consideration. Sir Isaac Isaacs will represent the King, but it will not be part of his duty to advise” the Government in London of developments in the political and economic life of the Commonwealth, nor to inform the British Ministers of opinion in Australia regarding.their own legislative and administrative programmes. Under, the new regime there will be no officer of the Home Government to act as a liaison officer, and it therefore seems necessary that a new post should be created. But while a new departure has to be made so far as Australia is concerned, there are other Dominions that already know the” value of High Commissioners from the Mother Country. Sir William Clark, who was appointed to Ottawa two years ago, has done admirable service for Canada as well,as Great Britain. Recently the Governor of Ceylon was chosen for the new High Commissionership in South Africa, where the British Government occupies a somewhat difficult position. The Union is a self-governing Dominion, but the Homo Government holds authority in the native territories of Basutoland and Swaziland and •in the Bechuanaland Protectorate. Native questions have long been a source of trouble iff Union politics, and a British High Commissioner who has had considerable experience in the care of native peoples may be able to help. both the South African Ministry and the Government which he represents. In any case British High Commissioners in" the Dominion, provided the right men arc appointed, have the opportunity to foster good relations. It may not be many years before the system has its accredited representative in each of the self-governing Dominions.