Vital Arrangements Being Discussed

Chronicle (Levin), 13 March 1947, Page 5

Vital Arrangements Being Discussed

Press Assn.-

BIG PART FOR AUSTRALIA

By Telegranh

-Covyrigh

Received Thursday,- 10.45 a.m. LONDON, March 12. Vital new arrangements, for Pacific "defence are being' discussed in London, Moscow, Washington, Ottawa, Wellington and Canberra, saj^s the Evening News' diplomatic correspondent. The correspondent adds: "Australia plans to take over to a large extent Britain' s Imperial defence commitments in the Pacific, including, firstly, the replacement of all British troops in occupied ' Japan by the Australian and New Zealand forces towards the end of the summer, and, secondly, the transfer of responsibility for large areas of the Pacific from the Royal Navy to an augmented Australian - Navy. The measures will permit Britain to repatriate Army and. Navy men for release to industry." The correspondent says that Australia intends to support a United States' demand to United Nations for the annexation of the former Japanese Pacific islands in return for America's withdrawal of her Haims to Australian territories which the American forces liberated during the war. Ausfralia would share responsibility for Singapore's defence and wants to participate in a big way in the future regional -de fence of the Empire.