SUBJECT LEFT TO CABINETS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 196, 17 May 1944, Page 7

SUBJECT LEFT TO CABINETS

Empire Secretariat PREMIERS’ SESSIONS CONCLUDE Future Conferences

(By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —.Copyright. (Received May 16, 8.30 p.m.) LONDON, May 15.

Tlie Australian Associated Press understands that lite Empire Prime Ministers today decided to consult their respective Governments concerning Mr. Curtin’s plan for a permanent Empire secretariat. The conference is thus likely to end tomorrow without, deciding on any important alterations in the present machinery of inter-imperial consultations.

Mr. Curtin’s proposals, which gave rise to a long aud earnest exchange of views in which the Canadian Prime Minister, Mr. Mackenzie King, emphatically restated his objections to the formation of a “national bloc,” will at least ensure that post-war Empire interchange of information and collaboration on foreign policy will be carried out as effectively .as during the war, which all the Prime Ministers agreed was vastly better than before the war. It is generally accepted that the last has not been heard of Mr. Curtin’s suggested standing Empire authority, and it is regarded as very likely that future meetings of the Prime Ministers will be held in the Dominion capitals. A communique setting forth the results achieved during the conference will probably be released simultaneously in all the Dominions on Thursday. LONDON, May 16. The last meeting of the Dominion Prime Ministers was held today. They will remain in England for some time, when there will be informal discussions, and they will be able to see something more of England at war.

PREPARING FOR PEACE

Mr. Fraser Outlines N.Z. Principles (Official News Service.) LONDON, May 15. Questioned on New Zealand's plans for nost-war reconstruction, the New Zealand Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, told the Sunday newspaper "Reynolds News” the principles on which the Dominion was preparing for the peace, and added: “We are well aware in New Zealand that though we can do much by our own efforts, true prosperity can only be attained by economic recovery on a world-wide scale. For that reason I have taken part with particular interest in the discussions of post-war economic policy at the Prime Ministers’ conference.” The newspaper quotes Mr. Fraser as saying: “My Government believes it is as much the responsibility of a Government to plan for post-war security and progress as it is to organize.the successful prosecution of the war itself. That is the principle underlying the New Zealand policy of post-war reconstruction.” Mr. Fraser added that the approach to the problem of rehabilitation of. exservicemen was essentially practical, “We know that what our people want is a job with adequate pay, a home, and a chance to live a normal life again.” he said. “These sound like simple objectives, but we know from our experiences of depressions between two wars that careful planning is essential if difficulties are to be avoided. We believe, too, that unless the country aims at and plans for both security and progress, it cannot have a thoroughly healthy economic life.” Value of Education.

The Prime Minister explained what had been done in New Zealand in the way of social security, housing, and education, and reiterated the Dominion's immigration policy. He termed education “one of New Zealand's weapons in the fight for post-war prosperity,” and declared the school leaving age would be extended to 16 as soon as more teachers and schools were available. Other topics on which Mr. Fraser spoke included India, concerning which he expressed personal regret that India could not be sitting in the Commonw’ealth conference as a British Dominion rather than with her present status. He hoped the release of Mr. Gandhi, for whom he had great respect, would open the way to a resumption of negotiations whereby India might attain self-govern-ing Dominion status, and added that New Zealand was willing to do all she could to help. Referring to the future of the colonial possessions of the nations overrun by the enemy, Mr. Fraser said: “The British Commonwealth has declared that it has no desire for territorial aggrandisement, and that we stand for the restoration of their possessions to the countries now dominated by the enemy, wherever they are situated. “As far as colonial territories are concerned these countries will have to discharge their responsibilities in regard to the native populations and look on their colonial possessions as a trusteeship. In my opinion there should be a plan for an annual report to be made on colonial administration to an international body, whether it is called a League of Nations or whatever new form emerges after the war.”

ROYALTY GIVES PARTY

(British Official Wirelepp.) RUGBY, May 15. The King and Queen at Buckingham Palace gave an informal party for the staffs of the Dominion Prime Ministers who are conferring in London. The Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret Rose were present.