News of the Week
The Dominions and the King
ripHE appointment- of "Sit-Isaac Isaacs as Governor- 1 Gemini of Australia is the firstfrukts,.of the new Constitutional practice 'of the Empire. Australia now has an ..absolute right -to– choose 'her -GOVercief--General without reference to British [Ministers.' This- right was formally implied in the -issue 'Of the announcement, not by the British Government, but by Australia House, after the King had consulted with Mr. Scullin, the Prime Minister of Australia. It may be said-that the change is less real than appears, because for: a very long time no British Government has dreamed of pro- posing anyone for the Governor-Generalship of a Dominion without obtaining the consent of that Dominion. This, however, is not the most important point. His Majesty, now acting directly on the advice of the Dominions, comes into a much closer contact with them; It-must be remembered that the Governor- General under the new theory is shorn of such few political- or nominal functions as remained to him and
becomes the personal representative of the King. It is more important than ever therefore that the King's approval of an appointment should be obtained in a very thorough way. . .
