CLOSEST POSSIBLE UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN U.S. AND COMMONWEALTH NEEDED IN PRESENT SITUATION

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 13, Issue 47, 28 January 1949, Page 5

CLOSEST POSSIBLE UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN U.S. AND COMMONWEALTH NEEDED IN PRESENT SITUATION

Conference Impressions

\ / Mr Sullivan gave the Beacon ] a comprehensive survey of his * tour and his impressions, with particular reference to Germany, and the present situation there. Concerning the conferences he attended, he said he felt the Bermuda meetings had i done much to bring the Commonwealth and the United .States closer together. "The Commonwealth Conference proceedings were taken in com- . mittee, the proceedings will be published early in the New Year and . distributed to all members of the C.P. Association. Subjects discussed by delegates ' were Economic Co-operation within the Commonwealth, Foreign Affairs, .1: Defence and Strategic distribution / of population, the future of Parliamentary Government, the change of name of the Association, and other * questions brought forward by delegates. The Conference afforded great opportunity for the exchange of views on common problems, between overseas delegates, and their ■•colleagues of Westminster. Altogether, some 36 State and Dominion Governments were repre- „ sented, by the presence of 80-odd delegates. During the sittings many interesting talks were given by JVlinisters of the House of Com:mons and other speakers. All delegates were glad to meet ► colleagues from the scattered parts -of the Empire, to hear their views, ;and their oft and strongly expressed opinion that the family of Comjnonwealth countries must all work together. I am sure all present left feeling enriched because of the many contacts made, and the knowledge gained from such a Conference. At Bermuda . Following the London Assembly -a further Conference was held at Bermuda! The Hon. W. Black and myself attended for New Zealand. At Bermuda, representatives attended from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, South Africa,' Australia and Bermuda. Subjects discussed were similar to the previous Conference. American ■Senators present ably presented their views on the many complex •: subjects that concern every country . at the present time. Everyone was delighted to meet these gentlemen, - to have them with us, and I believe much was done to bring this great country and the Commonwealth ..closer together.

Today our problems are theirs, and theirs are ours. World affairs make it imperative that we should have a common understanding, a common objective, if we are to remain a force for peace in this age.

, On his return from the Commonwealth Parliamentary ■'Conference and his tour of Europe and America, Mr W. Sullivan, M.P., stressed his belief that the present world situation calls 'for the closest possible understanding and cooperation between the British Commonwealth countries and the United States of America. That, he said, is necessary if we are to remain a force for peace.

BEATEN GERMANY Downcast People In Ruined Berlin

Mr Sullivan was able to give the first eye-witness account of present-day conditions in ruined and politically seething Berlin which has been brought to Whkkatane.

“Immediately on arrival at the Frankfurt aerodrome, our party was transferred to an American plane and flown straight to Berlin. Some three days were spent here, Where the party was briefed on a host of subjects, escorted to all points of interest, up to the Russian . sector at Brudenfurgh Gates. “One is immediately struck with awe at the almost complete destruction of Berlin. We were informed that the Eastern area is even worse. ' The people are downcast, poorly clothed and poorly fed. Very few young men are seen in Western Berlin. Many were taken by Russia while in occupation. What was once the famous Tier Gardens is : now a vegetable garden. Just over the border, inside Russian territory, we were shown the “Dug out” of Hitler’s last stand. “The Russian blockade of road, rail and canal, is causing great con- > cern and hardship inside the area No doubt this is done for several reasons, the chief of which is probably to drive out British and American aid, to starve the people of ~ West Berlin into submission, and then to establish Communism in - the area. Whatever may come the . Air Lift will not be abandoned.

Every three minutes planes leave air ports in Western Germany with tons of food for these people. As much as 6,000 tons are available daily. All this is done in a genuine attempt to save the area from starvation and Communism. “From the East, Germans are coming daily to the West, adding considerably to the food and accommodation problem. Both zones are now much over-crowded. School children in the Allied controlled areas are given one hot meal at school each day, and this in itself is an enormous task. Better Conditions “To the South, Frankfurt was visited. This city is 70 per cent destroyed commercially. Thirty-three per cent of homes are destroyed, and another third rendered unfit for habitation. Frankfurt is free of the Berlin bug and is making great progress in reconstruction and recovery. Here a Governing City Body operates with Allied assistance, and much progress is visible. Materials from wrecked and demolished buildings are crushed by machinery and the aggregate is used for the making of building blocks. “The new currency now operating throughout the area has done much to stabilise things. People now work for value. Their money will buy daily needs. Such improvement is noticeable that one is immediately impressed by the demeanour of the people, their desire to re-establj.sh themselves, and the brighter life as compared with the Berlin folk. Here also, the people have allied military help and protection, and are free to go ahead largely under their own steam. The visiting party were well received everywhere. Displaced Persons ‘ “Hanow was the next point of interest where some 5,000 displaced persons are housed, all awaiting an unknown destination. Occupants of this camp are folk from Estonia, Lithuania, Ukraine and other countries, all waiting to see what comes next. Figures supplied indicate that there are some 600,000 displaced persons in Western Germany. This figure is no doubt growing daily, and to the Dominions who want and need increased population, there is a reservoir here, where a selection policy would benfiet ail concerned.

“I do not believe that the German people want Communism, they have had more than a skinful. Their one wish now is to re-establish themselves in order that they may play a full part in the affairs of Europe and the world. “Germans are anxious to obtain the full management of their own affairs, as soon as possible. “Whatever recovery may be made Germany should not be again permitted fully to re-arm, but only to such extent as is approved by Allied authority. The world has had enough of this country’s aggression, and disarmament must be part of the policy imposed by -Allied authorities.