BLUNT SPEAKING

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 66, Issue 86, 22 January 1946, Page 4

BLUNT SPEAKING

MR FRASER HITS OUT MANDATED TERRITORIES QUESTION OF TRUSTEESHIP 0 (Special Correspondent, N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 21. The Rt. Hon. P. Fraser was warmly applauded arid congratulated after making a speech at the meeting of the Trusteeship Council when he asked bluntly what were the intentions of France and South Africa regarding mandates under their control. Mr Fraser maintained his now established reputation for plain straightforward speaking. It previously had been stated that South Africa was considering incorporating the former German West Africa as a fifth State in the Union of South Africa, on the ground that its people had expressed a wish for such action', while France indicated that she intended establish ing a representative government m Togoland and the Cameroons. Mr Fraser caused something ot a stir when he declared that he was at a loss to understand South Africa s action, “while in regard to France Ido not understand the position. Mi Fraser spoke without notes, and was most emphatic when declaring: the time to begin straight thinking and speaking is now and not afterwards, when there may be a mass; ot speaking and confusion.” It is understood that Sir Heaton Nichols, the South African High Commissioner, intends repiying tomorrow, while the Irench delegat will probably await instructions irom One unofficial comment made immediately after Mr Fraser spoke was that it was some of the straightest and bluntest, talking heard at an international conference for years.

Several Commissions

In the morning Mr Fraser presided at the first meeting of the Social. Humanitarian and Cultural Committee, of which lie is chairman. The business was largely formal, the committee endorsing suggestions made by the Preparatory Commission that the Economic and Social Council should establish various commissions, these are a commission on human rights, a temporary social commission, a commission on narcotic drugs and a democratic commission. There was some discussion on each. Mrs Roosevelt declared that the commission on human rights was extremely important. * Miss Ellen Wilkinson also endorsed the necessity for it. It will now be the task of the Economic Council to establish the commissions. At its next meeting the committee will consider the question of refugees. This will probably be the most important subject, to come before the committee this session, and Mr Eraser agreed with the Russian representative that, if necessary, the next meeting of the committee should be delayed in order to allow delegates adequate time to study documents shortly to be issued. Mr Eraser was congratulated, during the meeting, on his chairmanship by the Cuban delegate. The Prime Minister was certainly in a mood to get on with the business, calling the meeting to order punctually on time but before the necessary quorum of 50. per cent, of the delegates was present. After a delay of 10 minutes—punctuality, it seems, is no more of a virtue wiiTi the United Nations members than it was with the League of Nations—a fresh start was made.

Mr Fraser frequently overlooked the fact that translations into French had to follow all comments in English.. Miss Jean McKenzie represented New Zealand.