PACIFIC FUTURE

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 18, 16 October 1943, Page 5

PACIFIC FUTURE

Post-War Defence Zone DOMINIONS’ PART (Bv Telegraph.—Prese Amu —Copyright.) (Special Australian Correspondent.) (Received October 15, 11 p.m.) SYDNEY, October 15. In future Australia and New Zealand must take their place in the world and can no longer expect to find security and development behind the continued protection of other Powers. In the southern Pacific these two Dominions must accept the responsibility of playing a joint leading part. These opinions summarize the views of Australian commentators ou a statement in the House of Representatives by the Commonwealth Minister of External Affairs, Dr. Evatt, of Australia’s external policy. . Dr. Evart’s statement was made in reporting on his mission abroad. He emphasized that. Australia and New. Zealand must show particular interest m the control of those islands lying close to their shores. , . .. Advocating that Australia s immediate defence zone after the war should be extended- to the Solomon Islands, New Caledonia and the East Indies. Dr. Evatt added: "It would blindness. not to recognize the complementary relationship of the islands adjacent to Australia and New Zealand.” As a contribution toward a better understanding of common problems, he proposed- to take steps to obtain a frank exchange of views between the various Governments interested in the southern Pacific. The reciprocal appointment of an Australian High Commissioner in New Zealand would be the first step. Australia’s collaboration with the United States would be extremely close. .Australia also shared close common interests with Canada and the Soviet Union. "While Australia’s interest m the future of Europe is undoubted, our predominant interest must in the Pacific area,” declared Dr. Evatt. ‘ During the war we have rightly insisted on the importance of the Pacific as a theatre of war, and I am certain the verdict ot history will find 1 this insistence justified, though at times criticized.”

New Zealand Collaboration. i The handling of the problems, of security, post-war development and native welfare called for courage, and vision, and as members of the British Commonwealth of Nations in the Western Pacific, New Zealand and Australia were, destined to discharge heavy responsibilities, said Dr. Evatt.

“Today their joint power is very great,” he said, "It should remain commensurate with their new responsibilities. I regard a permanent collaboration between New Zealand and Australia us a pivotal point of a sound post-war Pacific policy.” Referring to Mr. Churchill’s proposal for the establishment within the framework of a world organization of a system of subordinate regional councils, Dr. Evart said he visualized New Guinea as an integral part of the Pacific zone with which Australia would be vitally interested in collaboration with Britain and New Zealand on the one hand and the Dutch, French and Portuguese on the other.

“The Commonwealth Government is convinced that in order to prevent future aggression measures should be concerted for the permanent defence of this area as one of the zones of security within an international system that must be created,” he said. “The Commonwealth contemplates a general understanding covering commercial matters, transport, and general reconstruction in the postwar world.” Dr. Evatt disclosed that additional Spitfires and American combat planes in substantial force had been allocated to the 'South-west Pacific. The Spitfires were of the latest type. They would be manned by British personnel.