TREATIES WITH U.S.A.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 September 1940, Page 8

TREATIES WITH U.S.A.

By Telegraph—Press Association.

DOMINIONS' NEW STATUS

POSITION EXPLAINED

Wellington, Last Night. The conciliation pact between the United States and New Zealand referred to in a cable message was in effect an extension of the existing Anglo-United States Peace Commission Treaty of 1914, said the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, in an interview to-night.' This treaty provided ' for the settin'g up , of a permanent commission of inquiry to investigate and report upon any disputes between the two ■ nations which ordinary diplomatic means might fail to bring to an amiicable solution. Although New Zealand was bound:by the provisions of the original treaty the new international and constitutional status which' the Dominions ' now had made it necessary to provide for the treaty's extension to the Dominions of the British Commonwealth by means of the supplementary treaties now signed. The treaty would continue in force for five • years and would remain in force tliereafter until one of the parties -should give notice of termination. "I should like to add," said Mr. Fraser. "tliat New Zealand's accession and signature were authorised by the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage in July of last year. The subsequent delay in arranging for simultaneous signatures by representatives of the British Commonwealth Governments at Washington has no doubt been due to more pressing matters."