 Smith replied that in his interpretation Rhodesia was required to keep Whitehall informed , but prior British concurrence was not necessary ; if Britain contested this , the Prime Minister said , then surely the 1957 entrustment had never meant anything . Dupont then spoke again , rejecting the idea that the Rhodesian mission should be a mere subsidiary consulate of the British Embassy . Hughes replied firmly that the 1957 despatch did not give the Rhodesians free rein over external matters , and warned them to be more flexible if they intended to find common ground . Eager to avoid open confrontation , Smith told Dupont to reconsider his tone , and changed the subject . 
