BRITISH CABINET'S PLEDGE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10252, 31 May 1911, Page 4

BRITISH CABINET'S PLEDGE.

Recent 'cables .inform us that the British. Cabinet is admitting the delegates from the Overseas Dominions into its confidence in respect to tihe relations of Great Britain with Uhe Foreign Powers. This was deeded upon before the arrival of the lelega.tes upon the scene. Speaking >n the subject in the House of Comnons in April, Mr Harcourt, Colonial Secretary, said, in answer to ques;ions by members: "I have been definitely a«k)Kd whether it was the indention of the Government to take >he Prime Ministers into consultation >n matters of international concern. ft always has been our intention x> take them into consultation. "We mall withhold from them no information that they desire; We shall >roffer to them all useful knowledge,. vhich may be of service to them in the great service they have ticvper;orm. But we shall do iso in abso.ute secrecy; .'and I must warn the ELou.se that we cannot he liable to he tsked; \Vhat information, we' have [ and on what subjects. It xas always been our intention to lummon these Prime Ministers to a neeting or meetings of the Comimit;ee of Imperial Defence. Of that, Committee the Prime Minister is >resjdent, and many Ministers, in;luding myself, are members. There shey will meet in isecrecy, and wall be nble to reeerVe that information and >robahly more than that which, has >een suggested even by the debates n this House." It will be seen by >ur present cable news that the Briitsh Cabinet is acting tip to its ilediges to Parliament.