COMMON BONDS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 232, 28 June 1944, Page 4

COMMON BONDS

Spirit Of Australia And New Zealand VISITING MINISTER ENTERTAINED The common interests of Australia and New Zealand were emphasized by the Australian Federal Minister of Trade and Customs, Senator R. V. Keane, and the Acting-Prime Minister, Mr. Sullivan, at a State luncheon given by the Government yesterday in honour of Mr. Keane. Both speakers also referred to the significance of the Canberra Agreement recently made between the two countries. Guests at the function included Ministers of the Crown, members of both Houses of the Legislature, and heads of State departments. Proposing the health of Mr. Keane, the Acting-Prime Minister said that between the people of Australia and New Zealand there was a great spirit of comradeship The two countries had much in common, but probably by far the most important were the spiritual bonds between them. There was the close brotherhood of arms in the first world war, and then in Africa and in the Pacific in this war. Australia and New Zealand had been welded together as two representatives of the British Commonwealth in this corner of the world. They were two bastions standing for freedom, liberty and democracy. Both of them had the same democratic forms of government. Representatives of New Zealand who had had occasion to visit Australia had always been treated with the utmost courtesy and hospitality. The people of New Zealand had reason to be grateful to Australia, particularly during the war, for its assistance to this Dominion. Australia first came to the aid of New Zea land in supplying the necessary materials to enable this country to go ahead with the manufacture of munitions and war equipment. On another occasion Australia had agreed to give New Zealand one-sixth of its production, and so the spirit of comradeship was translated into practical action. In this way the Dominion was enabled to build up its own production of munitions to a substantial extent, so much so that when hostilities broke out in the Pacific New Zealand was in a position to put up a reasonable fight. When America got into its stride and also sent supplies the position became very satisfactory indeed, Canberra Agreement.

Referring to the Canberra Agreement, Mr. Sullivan said it was a wonderful instrument of collaboration in the Pacific. It was inevitable that there should be misunderstandings in some quarters and misrepresentations in others, but when the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Mr. Fraser, and the Prime Minister of Australia. Mr. Curtin, arrived in the United States of America and the United Kingdom they were able to dispel whatever doubts existed. The agreement was pregnant with infinite possibilities for good in the days to come. “I hope Senator Keane won’t try to sell us everything and b’uy nothing in return, for we have some very good products we are able to sell,” said Mr. Sullivan. He added that the ideas outlined to him by Mr. Keane were based on a reciprocal attitude and that that must tend to bring the peoples of the two countries closer together Australia had shown vision and courage in the development of its mighty war industries, and when one looked at what had been achieved in that country and in New Zealand one felt that the security of the British peoples in the Pacific was secure.

Reply by Mr. Keane. Appreciation of the welcome extended to him was expressed by Mr. Keane, who said he found that like Australia New Zealand had mobilized for a total war effort. In the same way as Australia, New Zealand had started industries and was producing foodstuffs for the Allies in an endeavour to do her part in bringing about the finish of the war as soon as possible and the satisfactory rehabilitation of those serving in the forces. It was hoped the day would come when there would be the settlement of international disputes by arbitration and so obviate a repetition of the dreadful Armageddon of the past few years. In Australia there was a Government that had done its best. The aggregate war efforts of Australia aud New Zealand were unequalled in any part of the world. Even the Opposition in the Australian Parliament had given every support to Australia’s war effort.

Referring to rationing. Mr. Keane said that liquor was among the rationed commodities in Australia. He was astounded to see that there was no rationing of beer in New Zealand. “We send you the malt to make your beer and leave ourselves short,” he said amid laughter. The Canberra Agreement, said Mr. Keane, was a milestone in the history of Au<jalia and New Zealand. They wanted the agreement‘to he effective for the defence and relationships of their two countries. Mr. Keane said he was delighted to have the opportunity of meeting the Ministers of the Crown of a sister Dominion. New Zealand, which had done practically the same things as Australia had done, was a country of colossal possibilities. Australia required population, so did New Zealand. “Let us be Anzacs, not only in spirit but also in practice,” concluded Mr. Keane.