SOUTHERN PACIFIC

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 October 1943, Page 3

SOUTHERN PACIFIC

ROLE OF NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIA

SECURITY & DEVELOPMENT.

POST-WAR DEFENCE PLANS

(Special Australian Correspondent.) SYDNEY, October 15. In future Australia and New Zealand must take their place in the world and can no longer expect to find security and development behind the continued protection of other Powers. In the southern Pacific these two Dominions must accept the responsibility of playing a joint leading part. These opinions summarize the views of Australian commentators on a statement in the House of Representatives by the Commonwealth Minister of External Affairs. Dr. Evatt, of Australia s external policy. Dr. Evatt’s statement was made in reporting on his mission abroad. He emphasized that Australia and New Zealand must show particular interest in the control of those islands lying close to their shores. Advocating that Australia's immediate defence zone after the war should be extended to the Solomon Islands, New Caledonia and the East Indies, Dr. Evatt added: “It would be blindness not to recognise ■ the complementary relationship of the islands adjacent to Australia and New Zealand.” BETTER UNDERSTANDING. As a contribution toward a better understanding of common problems, he proposed to take steps to obtain a frank exchange of views between the various Governments interested in the southern Pacific. The reciporcal appointment of an Australian High Commissioner in New Zealand would be the first step. Australia’s collaboration with the United States would be extremely close. Australia also shared close common interests with Canada and the Soviet Union. “While Australia’s interest in the future of Europe is undoubted, our predominant interest must lie in the Pacific area,” declared Dr. Evatt. “During the war we have rightly insisted on the importance of the Pacific as a theatre of war, and I am certain the verdict of history will find this insistence justified, though at times criticised.” COURAGE AND VISION. The handling of the problems of security, post-war development and native welfare called for courage and vision, and as members of the British Commonwealth of Nations in the Western Pacific, New Zealand and Australia were destined to discharge heavy responsibilities, said Dr. Evatt. “Today their joint power is very great,” he said. "It should remain commensurate with their new responsibilities. I regard a permanent collaboration between New Zealand and Australia as a pivotal point of a sound post-war Pacific policy.” Referring to Mr Churchill’s proposal for the establishment within the framework of a world organisation of a system of subordinate regional councils, Dr Evatt said he visualised New Guinea as an integral part of the Pacific zone with which Australia would be vitally interested in collaboration with Britain and New Zealand on the one hand and the Dutch, French and Portuguese on the other. . PERMANENT DEFENCE. “The Commonwealth Government is convinced that in order to prevent future aggression measures should be concerted for the permanent defence of this area as one of the zones of security within an international system that must be created,” he said, “The Commonwealth contemplates a general understanding covering commercial matters, transport, and general reconstruction in the post-war world.” Dr. Evatt disclosed that additional Spitfires and American combat planes in substantial force had been allocated to the South-West Pacific. The Spitfires were of the latest type. They would be manned by British personnel. ISOLATION GONE FUTURE PROSPECTS IN PACIFIC. ASIA’S IMPORTANT ROLE. (Special Australian Correspondent.) SYDNEY, October 15. Commentators here unanimously point out that Asia must remain a great question mark over the future of Australia and New Zealand. The Sydney “Sun” today in an editorial comments: “What happens in Asia, the crowded house of half the human race is, aS' this war has shown us, suddenly and enormously capable of altering our customs and way of life. The United States has awakened to the vital nature of foreign policy in the Pacific, and is already planning her future defence. We must do the same. We cannot live apart from the gales that shake the world. In the past, owing to the protection of the British Navy and the unquestioned status of the white man in acquiescent Asia, we were indeed in that happy position. But two world wars have altered the world in economics, psychology and the balance of power and rapid communication has completed the transformation. ■ Our old isolationism is futile. Claims of Pacific security in future will not be met by anything short of our full participation in the measures taken to assure that henceforth this great ocean shall be true to its noble name.” Warning that in another Pacific war Australia and New Zealand would be battle grounds, the Sydney “Daily Telegraph” urges co-operation to lift the 1.000,000,000 Asiatic people out of poverty and enslavement. No imperialist niachine could indefinitely hold down and humiliate such a vast concourse. Wide tribute was paid to Dr. Evatt’s speech, which the “Daily Telegraph” calls “a notable contribution to adult outlook of this country.” AFTER THE WAR GREATER POWERS REQUIRED BY CANBERRA. ULTIMATUM TO STATES. CANBERRA, October 15. Unless the Australian States grant by next session additional powers to the Commonwealth for post-war reconstruction an appeal will be made to the people by referendum. This ultimatum has been delivered in the House of Representatives by the Prime Minister, Mr Curtin. After pointing out that only New South Wales and Queensland had. passed the draft Powers Bill

agreed upon at the Canberra constitutional convention, Mr Curtin said: “The matter cannot be allowed to rest where it is.” South Australia and Western Australia have passed Bills, but in both cases the powers granted are less than those agreed upon. Victoria passed a Bill, but imposed the condition that it shall not operate unless the other five States have previously passed the same Bill. The Tasmanian Upper House shelved the Bill.