GIVEN UP

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 October 1942, Page 4

GIVEN UP

EXTRATERRITORIAL RIGHTS IN CHINA BRITISH AND AMERICAN ACTION END OF OUTWORN SYSTEM. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) WASHINGTON, October 10. The Assistant Secretary of State, Mr Sumner Welles, informed the Chinese Ambassador that the United States was prepared promptly to negotiate a treaty providing for tiie immediate relinquishment of United States extraterritorial rights in China. He added that the British Government shared America’s views and was taking similar action.

An announcement that Canada was also prepared to relinquish extraterritorial rights in China was made by Mr Mackenzie King in Ottawa. He said this would not adversely affect Canadian land ownership in China, or facilities for travel, residence and trade. The Chinese Ambassador to the United States said the relinquishment of extraterritorial rights would mark the beginning of a new era in China’s relations with the Western Powers, and seal the end of an out-dated and outworn system.

The Washington correspondent of the “New York Times” points out that though the question had been actively considered for several months, the announcement was timed for China’s national anniversary as encouragement in her fight against the Axis. The news that Britain and America are relinquishing their extraterritorial rights in China has caused very great jubilation, says the “New York Times” Chungking correspondent. Their action will not only remove a humiliating relic of foreign imperialism, but also will serve as tremendous encouragement for the Chinese to fight harder than ever now that China stands on an equal footing with the other United Nations.

At a gathering of the Chinese community in Wellington on Saturday the Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) spoke of the admiration with which China’s magnificent struggle for a period of more than five years was regarded and referred to extraterritorial rights, including the right of foreign nations to administer justice among their nationals in China independently of the Chinese Government and Chinese courts. Declaring that we in New Zealand were determined to do all in our power to repay our debt to China, Mr Fraser added: —

“As far as New Zealand is concerntod, I take the opportunity, on China’s National Day, of affirming that we desire no rights in China other than those freely accorded to us by the Chinese Government, under its distinguished leader, Chiang Kai-shek, as equal partners in the great enterprise in which we are joined together, with all the United Nations, to preserve freedom and justice in the Pacific and throughout the world, and that for our part we are in agreement with any step to be taken by the United Nations concerned, to renounce all rights in China, howsoever acquired, which are not in accordance with these principles, and the full status of the Republic as a full sovereign State.”