THE EIGHT POINTS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 2, 25 August 1944, Page 2

THE EIGHT POINTS

THIS WAS THE CHARTER

HISTORIC ATLANTIC RENDEZVOUS Do you remember the eight points of the Atlantic Charter, often mentioned in Parliament and likely to be referred to by the Premier m his broadcast? The Charter was drawn up hy Mr Churchill and President Roosevelt at their historic conference aboard the battleship "Prince of Wales" in 1941. The two leaders declared the following '•common principles in the national politics of their respective countries on which they base their hopes for a better future for the world. 1. Their countries seek no aggrandisement, territorial or other. 2. They desire to see no territorial changes that do not accord with the freely expressed wishes, of the people concerned. ;$. They respect the right of all peoples to choose the form of Government under which they will live, I and they wish to see sovereign rights and self-government restored to those who have been forcibly deprived of them. 4. They will endeavour, with due respect for their existing obligations to further the enjoyment by all States, great or small victor or vanquished, of access on equal terms to the trade and to the raw materials of the world which are needed for their economic prosperity. 5. They desire to bring about the fullest collaboration between all nations in the economic held, with the object of securing for all improved labour standards, economic advancement, and social security.

6. After the final destruction of Nazi tyranny, they hope to see established a peace which will afford to all nations the means of dwelling in safety within their own boundaries and which will afford assurance that all the men in all the lands may live out their lives in freedom from fear and want.

7. Such a peace should enable all men to traverse the. high seas and oceans, without hindrance.

8. They believe all the nations of the world, for realistic as well as spiritual reasons must come to the abandonment of the use of force. Since no future peace can be maintained if land sea or air armaments continue to be employed by nations which threaten aggression outside their frontiers they believe that pending the establishment of a wider and permanent system of genuine security the disarmament of such nations is essential. They will likewise aid and encourage, all • other practicable measures which will lighten for peace-loving peoples the crushing burdens of armaments.