PERSONAL TOUCH IN EMPIRE RELATIONS

Wanganui Chronicle, 19 July 1950, Page 4

PERSONAL TOUCH IN EMPIRE RELATIONS

’THE need for the personal touch in Empire relations is being 1 stressed by Mr. Patrick Gordon-Walker, Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations, now in New Zealand for more than a very brief visit. This is no new note to be stressed by representatives of countries that visit this or any other _ country, rhe personal touch is very important in all relationships of men. It allows the personality of one man to sink in and become known to those with whom he is dealing. It is tn order to maintain tha personal touch that the Dominions have appointed High Commissioners in England and Ministers in various other countries. In England the Foreign Office has been wise to have adopted as a poliev the granting of diplomatic status to the representatives ol the British Commonwealth communities. There hate been some heart burnings in the diplomatic dovecotes because New Zealand’s “Bill” Jordan will now take precedence as Ire semoi diplomat, in London. This order of seniority is established by length of appointment and Mr. Jordan’s fourteen years in London places him well ahead of the field.-, The position of doyen, ho - ever is to be reserved for a non-Commonwealth diplomat. This Ze wil? give to the Commonwealth representatives in London at least a diplomatic status which will be gratifying to the individual and allow the personal touch of which Mm GordonWalker speaks to be the more freely operative than in the.past The ability of responsible Ministers to short circuit the diplomatic channel bv taking an aeroplane trip to the uttermost parts of the earth will or rather should go far to for standing as between Ministers. How it w ?’\. a^ ct fl "P redinlomats is however, another matter. I-oi the diplomatic presentative to be th-? channel of communication in one instance complicated.