Anzac Pact “Reeks of Isolationism”

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 54, 7 March 1944, Page 5

Anzac Pact “Reeks of Isolationism”

OUTSPOKEN CRITICISM OF AUSTRALIAN SENATOR. Received Monday 7.5 p.m. CANBERRA, March 6. The Australia-New Zealand agree ment has been described as “reeking oi isolationism” and as a “major political blunder” by the Senate Opposition leader (Senator McLeay). * ‘ This agreement is practically devoid of a sense of the realities of the Pacific situation,” he said. “The agreement should he forgotten as speedily as possible by its authors. I hope they will be forgiven under the British Empire First Offenders’ Act. A Government which turned its back on Britain in 1942 and cried aloud for help from America now presumes to fence off the Southwest Pacific under a sort of Monroe Doctrine based on an Australian-New Zealand condominium. But while the Monroe Doctrine was fashioned to warn away a continent’s invaders, this agreement warns off our kindred, our Allies and our friends. An agreement reeking ol isolationism achieves nothing in the way of peace or security which could not have been equally well achieved without it.” Senator McLeay added that there was no justification for unilateral agreements at this stage of the war. Many sections of the Australia-New Zealand pact were provocative and could cause disunity and misunderstanding in matters of high international policy where unity and cooperation should prevail. The most amazing and offensive provision in the agreement was the blunt declaration of intention to resume control of our island possessions, for the regaining of which it was doubtful if we had paid most of the price in men or material. The migration clauses were surely ill-timed. The invitations to an international conference which the realities of the situation made us daily less qualified to call were hardly likely to find speedy, willing or hearty responses. The agreement, Senator McLeay contended, was inconsistent with Mr. Curtin’s earlier suggestion for the formation of any Empire Council with all the members of the Empire having equal standing on problems of common policy. The pact’s publication would pain our kinsfolk overseas and might alarm those Americans who have taken a friendly interest in our welfare.