A Commonwealth Consultation
The series of conferences between Commonwealth Prime Ministers which opened this week in London take on an added importance coming as they have immediately before the Council of Foreign Ministers in Paris. High on the list of subjects for discussion is the question of Imperial defence and the decisions reached in Paris on the future of the countries surrounding the Mediterranean, an area strategically vital to the whole Empire, are of significance to each Dominion. It is essential that, on this question as on others, Mr. Bevin should not be speaking for this country alone. It is, therefore, unfortunate that it has been found impossible for all the representatives of the Dominion Governments to synchronise their visits so as to be together for more than a few overlapping days. As Prime Ministers are increasingly burdened with responsibility it is becoming ever more necessary that some organ within the Empire should be created competent to discuss and concert matters of common policy The present system, under which regular con- ferences between Dominion representatives who have authority to speak for their country is an exception instead of a rule, is inadequate tc deal with a situation changing from day to day. Defence, Empire policy in Germany and Japan, atomic energy, U.N.O., emigration, international trade and food supplies, these and correlated problems are only some of the questions on which the Commonwealth must pursue a common policy. The present method of working through the High Commissioners and normal diplomatic channels is far too cumbersome, in spite of the immense developments in the means of communication. If the present Conference can evolve some satisfactory method of future discussion and decision it will have justified its convocation by that alone, quite apart from the con- tribution it may make to a solution of immediate problems.
Previous page
