26 APRIL 1924, Page 11

In the British Commonwealth of to-day, Canada, Australia, South Africa,

Great Britain and Ireland are all equals. But when it comes to the question of external relations which are in a process of evolution it is not possible to lay down any hard and fast rule, as is evident from a perusal of the debates in the Ottawa Parliament. Mr. Mackenzie King, the Canadian Prime Minister, in the debate on the peace treaty with Turkey, pointed out that Canada had different treatment at Lausanne from that at the Conferences at Versailles and Washington, where she had direct representation, and consequently she reserved her right to concur in the agreement. But according to the British Foreign Secretary, all the Dominions, including Canada, were asked if they consented to be represented by Lord Curzon and Sir Horace Rumbold, the Imperial repre- sentatives. The official minutes of the Imperial Con- ference state that " the Conference recorded its satis- faction at the conclusion of peace between the Allies and Turkey," and on the authority of Mr. Mackenzie King himself it was 'admitted that Canada did not desire separate representation.