AMAZING STORY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 65, Issue 269, 24 August 1945, Page 3

AMAZING STORY

AUSTRALIAN ADMISSION TO SURRENDER. ATTITUDE OF BRITAIN - (N.Z. Press Association —Copyright.) CANBERRA, Aug. 23. Behind yesterday’s announcement that Australia would be a signatory to the surrender by Japan lies an amazing story which may have repercussions within the British' Commonwealth. It is reported that, when the Commonwealth first intimated to London.that it desired that Australia should be represented, the British Government intimated that the request could not be granted. Australia sought, the reason for this and the Government -was given to understand that the United States had offered objections. Representations were immediately made to Washington and the surprising reply came back that not only had the United States Government no objection, hut on the contrary offered strong support of Australia’s claim to representation. When this disclosure was brought under the notice of the British Government all objections were withdrawn. There is considerable perturbation in political circles in Canberra at the attitude displayed by the British Government in this matter. Labour members are some : what dismayed that the Labour Government in England should be so offhanded about Australia’s claims. They are astonished that an effort should have been made to put Australia off with the excuse that the United States objected. This was obviously false and Australian Government circles are wondering who was responsible for it. The Dominions Secretary (Lord Addison), made the following statement: “Attention has been called to the reports received through Australian press channels that the British Government had not supported Australia’s desire to be represented in the Japanese surrender and armistice negotiations. Arrangements for these . matters are in the hands of the United States Government, hut any suggestion that the British Government did not fully support Australia’s request with the United States is totally unfounded. The British Government, on the contrary, took the initiative in pressing for Australia s representation.