No. 106 NAI DFA Secretary's Files P257

Letter from Frederick H. Boland to John W. Dulanty (London)

Dublin, 20 April 1946

The Minister is anxious that, if possible, the new Australian Representative in Ireland should have the title of 'Australian Representative' rather than that of 'High Commissioner of Australia'. He realises that it may not be easy to arrange the matter at this stage and that the point is not one which we can push too hard or too far. He would be very gratified however if the Australian authorities could be got to adopt the former title and the presence of Messrs. Chifley1 and Evatt in London affords perhaps a suitable opportunity for raising the question.

The Minister would accordingly be glad, if you would, at the earliest possible opportunity, see Mr. Beasley,2 and, having assured him how much the Government are looking forward to welcoming Mr. and Mrs. Dignam3 to Ireland, explain that Sir John Maffey has the title of 'British Representative' and Mr. Mahoney4 the title of 'Canadian High Commissioner' and enquire which of the two local titles the Australian authorities would wish to be given to Mr. Dignam. You could tell Mr. Beasley that the Irish Government very much prefer the former title and they think it very probable that the Australian authorities would prefer that their Representative in Dublin should have the same title as the Representative of Great Britain. You might ask him to discuss the matter with Mr. Chifley and Mr. Evatt and to let you know their choice as soon as possible.

I may add for your personal information that the Minister feels confident that if Australia as well as Britain were to adopt the title 'Representative', the Canadians would before long follow suit and we would thereby get rid altogether of the title 'High Commissioner' which, originally a title of high officials with executive functions, is nowadays an inapt and inappropriate title for what are in effect Diplomatic representatives.

1 Joseph 'Ben' Chifley (1885-1951), Australian Prime Minister (1945-9).

2 John 'Jack' Beasley (1895-1949), Minister for Supply and Development (1941), Minister for Supply and Shipping (1942-5), Minister for Defence (1945-6), Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (1946).

3 William and Mary Dignam. William became the Australian High Commissioner to Ireland (1946-50).

4 Merchant M. Mahoney (1886-1946), Canadian High Commissioner to Ireland (1945-6).


Purchase Volumes Online

Purchase Volumes Online

ebooks

ebooks

The Royal Irish Academy's Documents on Irish Foreign Policy series has published an eBook of confidential correspondence on the 1921 Anglo-Irish Treaty negotiations.
 

Free Download


International Counterparts

The international network of Editors of Diplomatic Documents was founded in 1988. Delegations from different parts of the world met for the first time in London in 1989.
Read more ....



Website design and developed by FUSIO