CANBERRA CONFERENCE

Chronicle (Levin), 6 September 1947, Page 5

CANBERRA CONFERENCE

Press AssoeiationJ

Mr. Fraser Pleased With Results

(Per

AUCEX.AND, Sept. 5. "I have never attended an international conference pervaded by a more t'riendly spirit, " said the Prime Minister, Mr. Praser, on his return by (lying boat after attending the conference at Canberra oi' the British Commonwealth Governments on the Japanese peace treaty. ' ' The meeting was in every sense a family gathering and it was a most encouraging and inspiring oeeakion. ,} As the result of tke discussions he felt certain that the British Commonwealth delegations would be able to malce a much more valuable eontribution to the suecess of the final conference than would otherwise have been the case. Mr. Praser said the eonstruCtive and responsible attitude of the delegations was due in large measure to the fact that the countries represented had taken an active paft in the Allied eft'ort which defeated Japan. Each was fully conscious of the need- to share in the enforcement of measures which would bq ineorporated in the treaty to keep Japan disarmed. • ' ' The points of diff erence were very f ew, ' ' he said. 1 ' It was elear that a very elose correspondence of outlook on various aspects of the oceupation and current situation in Japan, as well as the peace treaty, exists among members of the CommonweaJth. New Zealand's interest in the settlement was primarily one of security and the New Zealand delegation at the conference had this interest firmly in mind throughout ' the discussions. At the same time we were very conseiouS' of the fact _that to deprive Japan of power of aggression was only one-half of our purpose and that if we are to gain long-term security, the Japanese must be encouraged to develop along peaceful and democratic lines. It is necessary not merely to remove the Japanese means of waging war but, of even more iiuportauee, it is also necessary to remove the will to wage war." It was clear that Japan 's economy must be suliicient to maintain her. The obviously positive side of the peace settlement was largely one for the Japanese to work out themselves. Mr. Praser said the immediate concern of the- peace treaty was to ensure that the demilitarisation of Japan was maintained and it was evident that some form of effeetive post-treaty supervision would be required to seeure compliance with the treaty provisions. Mr. Praser said the opportunity would be taken as soon as possible to discuss in Parliament the issues of the peace settlement as they now presented themselves and to present to Parliament a (statement of policy which might guide the New Zealand delegation which would share, with the other Pacific belligerents, the task of drafting the treaty.