High Commissioner of Newfoundland to the United Kingdom facts for kids

The High Commissioner of Newfoundland to the United Kingdom was an important job. This person was Newfoundland's main representative in the United Kingdom. Think of them as a special ambassador! They were in charge of Newfoundland's office in London, which helped manage relations between the two countries.

Newfoundland became a "dominion" in 1907. This meant it was a self-governing country within the British Empire. However, it wasn't until November 22, 1918, that Newfoundland set up its special office, called the High Commission, in London. Sir Edgar Rennie Bowring was the first person to hold this important role. He even paid for the position himself! The High Commission stopped existing in 1934. This happened when Newfoundland's self-government was paused, and the United Kingdom took direct control through something called the Commission of Government.

Britain itself didn't start sending its own High Commissioners to Dominions until after the Balfour Declaration of 1926. This agreement meant that the King or Queen's representatives, called Governors-General, would no longer represent the British government directly. Britain started sending High Commissioners to other countries like Canada in 1928 and South Africa in 1930. But they never sent one to Newfoundland. This was because the Commission of Government was set up in 1934, which made such a role unnecessary.

Newfoundland's High Commissioners

Here is a list of the people who served as High Commissioner for Newfoundland in the United Kingdom:

Images for kids

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  Sir Edgar Rennie Bowring, the first High Commissioner for Newfoundland.

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