EMPIRE’S FOREIGN POLICY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20104, 10 May 1935, Page 9

EMPIRE’S FOREIGN POLICY

RECENT RUMOURS DENIED DOMINIONS’ FREEDOM MAINTAINED British Official Wireless RUGBY, May 8. The Prime Minister, Mr Ramsay Macdonald, stated in the House of Commons to-day that there was no truth whatever in the statement that any change in the existing position in regard to the Dominions’ responsibility and obligations for foreign policy, was contemplated. The subject had not been mentioned at any of the discussions, now in progress, with the Dominion Prime Ministers, the course of which had been the normal Imparting of information, especially regarding the international situation. “The Government in the United Kingdom stands firmly by the principles governing the system of consultation in relation to parity of negotiations and the conduct of foreign affairs generally, which had been agreed upon at successive Imperial Conferences,” said Mr Macdonald. “These principles are well recognised, and are in unquestioned operation. It is of the utmost importance, especially for public opinion in the Dominions, that there should be no mistake whatever about the system in practice. The clauses of the report of the proceedings of the Imperial Conference in 1930, summarising these principles, are as follows: Firstly, any of his Majesty’s Governments conducting negotiations should inform the other Governments of his Majesty, in case they should be interested, and give them an opportunity of expressing their views if they think that their interests may be affected; secondly, any of his Majesty’s Governments, on receiving such information, should, if it desires, express any view, and do so with reasonable promptitude; thirdly, none of his Majesty’s Governments can take stefcxs which might involve other Governments in any active obligation without their definite assent.”