HC Deb 02 December 1930 vol 245 cc1959-60
18. Sir RENNELL RODD

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if he can give the reasons for the decision to take away from the Governor-General of the South African Union the duties which, as the King's representative, he has hitherto carried out as High Commissioner for the native territories and to transfer them to a newly appointed Commissioner who, by the nature of his office, will no longer directly represent the Sovereign?

The SECRETARY of STATE for DOMINION AFFAIRS (Mr. J. H. Thomas)

Sir Herbert Stanley, as High Commissioner for South Africa, will be, in relation to the duties of that office, as fully the representative of His Majesty the King as his predecessors have been. He will, however, both in this capacity and in his capacity as High Commissioner for the United Kingdom in the Union of South Africa, be responsible to His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom. The Governor-General of the Union of South Africa, on the other hand, is no longer the representative of, or responsible to His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom, but is the representative of the Crown alone; it was for this reason that the separation of the post of High Commissioner for South Africa from that of Governor-General was felt necessary.

Mr. HANNON

Will it be the function of this new High Commissioner to do everything possible to develop British trade in South Africa?

Mr. THOMAS

Certainly. That will be the function of every and any High Commissioner.

Captain PETER MACDONALD

Does the right hon. Gentleman intend to follow this policy in any other Dominion?

Mr. THOMAS

The circumstances are different. Hitherto the duties of the Governor-General of South Africa were combined with that of High Commissioner and the position of High Commissioner made him responsible for native policy. The change, which makes the Governor-General alone responsible to His Majesty the King, through the South African Government, necessitates, in the interests of this country, our saying that we must have someone responsible for native policy who is responsible to us, and to no one else.