POLITICAL AGENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 August 1935, Page 6

POLITICAL AGENTS.

The appointment last week of Sir Geoffrey Whiskard to be High Commissioner for Great Britain in Australia is another indication that equality of status among the self-governing portions of the Empire is fully recognised in the United Kingdom. In announcing Sir Geoffrey’s appointment the London Daily Telegraph stated that there was no intention at present of making a similar appointment in New Zealand, “where the Government wishes to retain the system whereby the Governor-General represents the Government of Great Britain in addition to His Majesty the King.” The Dominions’ Governments so far have seen no advantage to be obtained from exercising the right conferred by the Statute of Westminster whereby communications could be direct with the Government of Great Britain instead of through the Governor-General. It may be, however, that as trading negotiations are likely to become more frequent, and possibly more controversial, conditions will arise making it more difficult for the personal re-1 presentative of the King' to act also as the political agent in the Dominion of the Imperial Government. There is certainly no need for any alteration in the present system for the sake of asserting New Zealand’s independence. That is accepted in Britain and by all the other self-governing units in the British. Commonwealth of Nations. But the Kings representative must be aS free from any suggestion of party ties or sectional support as is the Sovereign if difficulties that would make for the loosening of the Imperial tie are to be prevented from arising. While there may be no need at present for the appointment in the Dominion of a political agent of the Government of Great Britain, that is not to say the occasion will not arise .when, for the sake of closer relationships between the Governments concerned such an appointment will be welcomed. It is a matter upon which fho Prime Minister will doubtless enlighten Parliament in the coining session.