IMPERIAL AFFAIRS DISCUSSED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17572, 24 June 1925, Page 13

IMPERIAL AFFAIRS DISCUSSED.

COLONIAL OFFICE CHANGES By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. LONDON. Juno 22. At the New Zealand dinner. Lord Jeiiicoe, responding to an aeelamatory toast, eulogised the late Mr Massey, and commended his straightforward honesty and simplicity of life as mi example to the boys of New Zealand. Mr I > C. M. S. Amery, paying a tribute to Mr Massey, said the latter had been succeeded bv a, statesman who could command the confidence of his fellow countrymen in New Zealand. Tho Minister then proceeded to make j an important reference to the changes ! ;n the Colonial Office, which he da- j scribed as. a step long due and possibly overdue. The process of evolution since I Mr Alfred Deakin's resolution, submitted to the Imperial Conference in 1907, and reintroduced in 1911 had been most marked. It did not then meet "ith the support of the Colonial Office and was not pressed. Since then the case for a clear division between the work of consultation with the dominions and controlling the administration ot colonies had grown far more pressing. The Government had gone bevornl Die 1911 resolution and had established separate secretaryships of State. Although rested in the same person for purposes of convenience they might, in future, be held bv separate persons, or by some other Minister whose duties were not so heavy. -Mr Amery disagreed nith the suggestion that the departmental aspect or the dominions’ work should bo added -O tho already over-burdened Prime Ifmi.LT. The suggestion would deprive the latter of the assistance of » responsible Cabinet colleague who was able to keep Imperial issues effectively represented in Parliament and Cabinet rm.l personally conduct relationships w;:h the dominions’ representatives