Members of the Victorian Consular Corps did not attend the King's jubilee levee held by the Governor, Lord Huntingfield, at Parliament House. They considered that they had been slighted by the treatment accorded them at the levee held by the Duke of Gloucester when he was in Melbourne, The Consuls said that they had "to fight their way in and take last place in rank and precedence" such treatment, they claimed, was a breach of the international courtesy extended to consuls in all other countries. They claim—that they were unable to receive from the Government House staff invitations for the right of private entree such fas State officials received, and that they were told that no arrangements could be made for them to pay their respects in a body to his Excellency the Governor, as the accredited representatives of foreign nations. The Italian consul, and the hondary Consul for Japan, were the only members of the Corps to attend.
The Australian Minister for External Affairs, said that there was no diplomatic representation. in Australia. Foreign Government representatives were appointed in the capacity Consuls and received recognition Jas such. 'Their duties were defined by international practice, and that! there was no question of' their ing any diplomatic status in any part fof Australia. 'The Minister' also stated that the appointment of these consuls did not entitle them to be specially received at public functions and they were not given any pre cadence over local officials.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.