EMPIRE COUNCIL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 September 1943, Page 3

EMPIRE COUNCIL

4, FEDERAL PRIME MINISTER’S PROPOSAL MEETINGS IN THE DOMINIONS. AS WELL AS IN LONDON. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) CANBERRA, September, 7. A proposal for the formation after the war of a permanent Empire Council to enable Britain and the Dominions to collaborate on postwar policy was outlined by the Prime Minister, Mr Curtin. He suggested that, to ensure ..continuous contact with the Dominions, such a body should have a moveable venue, meeting by arrangement in Ottawa, Canberra, Pretoria, ami Wellington, as well as in London.

Points in the plan suggested by Mr Curtin are: First, proposed Empire Council to have a structure similar to the present Pacific War Council, on which representatives of the Dominions may consult regularly with representatives of the British Government; and secondly, a permanent secretariat should be established by the counc.l comprising men as expert in the problems of peace as those who, expert, in war, are now advising the councils of the Empire and.the United Nations. “The place Australia will occupy in the Pacific after the war can never be the same as it was up to 1939,” said Mr Curtin. “She must have available the advantage of a concerted Empire policy if she is to be a power to stand for democracy in the South Pacific. Similarly, the power of Britain as a force for peace in the future will be strengthened in the world if a firm voice against potential aggressors confes from the Empire and not merely from London “The economic war in the. post-war years will be fierce and marked by many complex angles. Australia cannot allow her economic position to be not known or misunderstood, with. the Pacific studded by bases occupied by half a dozen nations shut out behind tariff walls. Australia’s voice in these matters must be heard equally as it is heard now in matters of war.” “I want to develop a practical fraternity among the constituted members of the Empire for dealing with the world at large and with themselves,” said Mr Curtin later, commenting on his proposals It is known that the Prime Minister has not officially communicated his proposals to the other Empire Governments, and political circles do not consider it is likely that a formal approach will be made by the Commonwealth Government for the present. The view is held, however, that the subject might be raised at a future Imperial conference.