Dominions and War Cabinet
Mr. Mackenzie King's decisive expression of his views the subject of an Imperial War Cabinet are likely to settle question for the present. The arguments in favour of creation of such a body are obviously strong in so far as might promote closer unity between the different constitu member States of the Commonwealth. But there is defini concern in more than one Dominion lest an Imperial Cabin should tend to develop into a federal Cabinet, taking decision that would bind Dominions. That will not happen, for Dominions will not consent to be so bound, but the tn tendency would create friction and suspicion. It is signific moreover, that it is not till the twenty-third month of the that the Canadian Prime Minister, though so relatively c geographically, has felt able to visit London, and that South African Prime Minister sees little prospect of being ab to come at all. When Mr. King, or Mr. Menzies, or Mr. Frase do visit London, their assumption of a seat in the War Cabin materially strengthens the Cabinet, and is no doubt of eq ' value to the Dominions Premiers themselves and their countri That arrangement works well, and it is satisfactory to ha Mr. Mackenzie King's assurance that when he is at Otta his personal contacts with Downing Street and the liais between the Canadian Department of External Affairs Whitehall provide adequately for all the co-operation and the exchange of information needed. There is something be said for the suggestion of The Times that the Secretary State for the Dominions should invariably be a member of War Cabinet, but every further enlargement of that body to be viewed with misgiving. There is clearly not much wrong with existing arrangements so far as the Dominions concerned.
Previous page
