James McNeill to Edward J. Hardinge (Colonial Office, London)
(Copy)

Dear Mr. Hardinge,

I am desired by Mr. Desmond FitzGerald to write you as follows with reference to the Committee to deal with the status of High Commissioners.

High Commissioners are the representatives of one Government to another Government. It therefore seems that, as outside countries largely look to the representatives accredited in London for guidance as to the status, etc. of Dominions, the fact that the representatives of the Dominions in London have no definite diplomatic standing tends to create in foreign countries a wrong impression of the true status of the Dominions. For this reason alone it seems highly desirable that High Commissioners should be given definite diplomatic status.

The question of 'Extra Territoriality' in this connection seems also worthy of consideration and it would tend to clear the air if the precedence of High Commissioners were defined.