NEED FOR CLOSER RELATIONS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 234, 30 June 1944, Page 4

NEED FOR CLOSER RELATIONS

Australia And New Zealand POSITION SURVEYED BY HIGH COMMISSIONER Dominion Special Service. WANGANUI, June 29.

In the post-war period Australia would be a big competitor iu the world's markets, not only for primary production but for many secondary produets, said the High Commissioner for Australia in New Zealand, Mr. D’Alton, speaking at a chamber of commerce luncheon in Wanganui today. This would probably cause many complications, but,, like other problems, would be capable of adjustment. Mr, D’Alton emphasized the need- for closer relations between Australia and New Zealand, and said that, whatever the future might bring, the two countries must remain linked together for defence purposes. “We must realize that a simple return to pre-war conditions will be impossible,” he said. “Any person who thinks that immediately peace has been achieved we shall return to the old methods of business and trading conditions will have a rude awakening. Vast alterations and adjustments will have to be made. The time is overdue when every citizen must • apply his knowledge and assist those in responsible position? to overcome the great and niinierous difficulties that will confront us.

“Racially our nations stand together. We are both British peoples, and our nearest neighbours are the crowded islands and thickly populated countries of the Far East. It took war, however, to bring us as close together as we should have been many years ago. We have faced common danger, pooled our resources and supplies, and realized that we must depend on one another in this part of the world. The Australian and New Zealand agreement signed at Canberra in January of this year arose from that realization. It has provoked much discussion, praise and condemnation. but, if closely examined, I am certain you will agree that no real New Zealander or Australian could make serious objection to any of its clauses. “You in New Zealand were perhaps somewhat less prepared for an agreement of such scope than we in Australia, where more public attention has been given to post-war problems. Your reaction was, therefore, more cautious than ours, but I feel sure that mature consideration has left no doubts as to the wisdom of the principles subscribed to in the pact. Principal Concern.

“We have accepted the fullest possible obligations regarding the war and surely it is not seeking too much to suggest thqt in the Pacific Australia and New Zealand. where we are the outer bastions of the English-speaking world, should be recognized as having the principal concern of all vital matters affecting the destinies of this area. From Australia and New Zealand we have given freely of our food, munitions, sweat and blood. We say definitely that our great effort In the war entitles us to speak in a pure democratic manner our thoughts and Ideals at appropriate discussions. “Whatever the future' may bring, whether or not we are able to see established firmly a world system of security, our two Dominions must remain linked together for defence purposes. We must plan our zone of defence to ensure that we shall never again find ourselves in the same mortal peril as when the Japanese swept down toward us two years ago. We must plan to retain a nucleus of aircraft and munition plants. Further, we should plan our industrial development, which lies at the basis'of any modern war effort.” ... , It was recognized that m the past there had been difficulties, and the problem of the severe trade balance would always remain, he added. This problem should, however, be considered in the widest sphere of the international or inter-Brit-Ish Commonwealth. . ' “For many years New Zealand has aad an adverse trade balance with Australia.” Mr. D’Alton said. “In my opinion it may increase in the future, unless New Zealand is prepared to pay much more for her imports from other overseas countries than she need pay if she bought them from Australia. You must consider the real economic return to New Zealand in this important matter.” The spirit of Anzac had proved a real thing in the past and present wars. Mr. D’Alton said. The two countries had everything in common, including a joint responsibility in this part of the world and joint problems of marketing and industrial development. Goodwill and cooperation could iron out petty difficulties which had previously come between them. All should see that the spirit developed during the war years should be perpetuated in the difficult days of neace.