British Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Talks In London Next Month

Wanganui Chronicle, 29 March 1949, Page 5

British Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Talks In London Next Month

Some Dominions May Object To Privileges Without Allegiance

LONDON, March 28 (Rec. 7.40 pm).—Mr. Attlee is expected to announce in the House of Commons on Tuesday Hie arrangements for the British Commonwealth Prime Ministers’ conference. The conference will open at No. 10 Downing Street, some time

between April 20 and 23. Commenting on Mr. Attlee's expected statement about the Commonwealth conference, the “Daily Express” said there will be strong deposition from Australia and Canada to any suggestion that the Commonwealth countries should be free to secede from allegiance to the King but still retain privileges in trade, political relationships and the status of their citizens. The newspaper added: The ordinary British citizen is baffled by manoeuvres which seek to find some magical cantrip whereby nalions have the privileges of Commonwealth membership without the responsibilities. The ordinary British citizen has been taught to believe that the Crown was the sole remaining formal link establishing to the rest of the world the “one-ness" of the Commonwealth. How, then, can the Commonwealth cloak be thrown over nations owning no allegiance, offering nothing? The “Yorkshire Post’’ said: In a world full of stresses in which the Powers are grouping, the Commonwealth conference in April was bound to lead to the weightiest consequences. “Great as is the material strength controlled by the United States and Russia, the Empire as a whole can challenge comparison with these giants.’’ MUTUAL. DEPENDENCE The newspaper added that manyDominions like Australia and NewZealand realised during the last war Dominions’ mutual dependence. Never had been a more lively sense of the Dominions’ mutual dependenc. Nevertheless, “though the Empire is a strong, living unity, its continued vitality can be assured only by constant thought” The conference officially regarded as one of the most important ever called, says the “Sunday Express..” It will have two major points for discussion: The future constitution of the Commonwealth, with particular reference to countries which may declare themselves independent republics, and defence problems, including joint action against the Communist menace in Europe and Asia. SECRET SUBJECTS.

Many of the subjects for discussion are so secret that the Prime Ministers have not communicated them yet to their own Cabinets. Eire, India, and Pakistan would like, it is believed, to remain closelyassociated with the Commonwealth, but are unwilling to declare allegiance to the Crown. Proposals will be put forward to keep them in the Commonwealth while granting the right to refuse allegiance. Some Commonwealth Governments object to any country being unwilling to ac-1 cept the Crown while enjoying the privileges of Commonwealth mem-1 bership. A compromise plan may be accepted, ( whereby there would be full and associate members of the Commonwealth with the latter enjoy.ng modified form of tariff preference and trade relations. The “Observer” says the Prime Minister are expected to reach England %y about April 19, and the conference to open on A'.ril 20 or 21. TWO PLANS FOR STUDY The British United Press says reports are circulating in London that two plans are to be studied at the talks First, there is a scheme reported to have been drawn up by Sir Stafford Cripps which would make the Commonwealth a three-tier structure, the first tier to be the United Kingdom with His Majesty at the head, the second to be the dominions also swearing allegiance to His Majesty, and the third to consist of the outer circle of members who would not recognise His Majesty as their titular head, but would otherwise admit their position as members of the Commonwealth i Secondly, there is a plan for a United Kingdom with His Majesty at its head, then the Dominions recognising the King, and last the “republican units” which do not recognise His Majesty, but would gain partnert ship in the Commonwealth by virtue of regional pacts with Commonwealth members. For example, India, having declared itself a republic, might associate with Australia on a regional South-East Asia basis, thereby retaining direct association with the Commonwealth.