5 APRIL 1924, Page 10

On a number of occasions I discussed with the late

Lord Grey a subject very dear to his heart—that of facilitating the admission of Canadians, Australians, South Africans and other citizens of the Dominions into our diplomatic and consular services and thereby illustrating that the Empire was indeed a unit. For as things stand the Mother Country possesses a practical monopoly in obtaining positions in the services referred to. It is therefore gratifying to note the speech of Mr. Bruce, the Australian Prime Minister, in the Federal House of Representatives in which he referrcd to the important departure taken by the Foreign Office in

sending to Australia Mr. A. W. A. Leeper, a Second

Secretary in the Diplomatic Service. The latter official, in Mr. Bruce's words, " comes to Australia to arrange a system whereby Australians can enter the Foreign Office and thus establish a stronger link of knowledge and sym- pathy between Great Britain's foreign policy and Australia." As the Daily Mail remarks, Mr. Leeper is particularly fitted for his position as he is himself an able Australian, the son of Professor Leeper of Melbourne University.