Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1948. PREMIERS’ TALKS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 69, Issue 51, 9 December 1948, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1948. PREMIERS’ TALKS

Some very important subjects were discussed at the conference of Commonwealth Prime Ministers in London, and it will be interesting' to note the views of Mr Fraser when he returns. The position of Britain and the Empire at the moment, in view of the situation in Eire and South Africa, and the changes in India and Burma, is one which calls for the closest study. The conference could not have been held at a more opportune time, because, apart from internal matters of moment, the international scene was one calling for a free and frank expression of views. The final communique of the conference, in its summing up, stated: “The discussions have shown a substantial community of outlook among all the Commonwealth Governments in their approach to present world problems. The menace of Communist aggression, in Europe as well as in Asia; has meant a thorough overhaul of the steps to be taken to assure security throughout the Commonwealth, both regionally and as a whole. As .the communique puts it: “The representatives of Commonwealth Governments affirmed their purpose to build up the economic strength of t'heir countries and to take all appropriate meas - ures to defer and. resist aggression.” In the view of London observers, the conference was an undoubted success, the substantial agreement reached on a number of larger issues pointing to this. One point of considerable interest was the attitude of the Dominions to Britain’s participation in Western European defence, and here the Dominions’ representatives indicated that they were in accord with the association of the United Kingdom with her European neighbours, particularly as such association was so closely linked with efforts to promote peace. Up to the present there has been fairly close consultation between the various parts of the Common.wealth, but the issues at stake at the moment are so vital that it is desirable that there should be even closer and more frequent consultation. This, according to a London report, was discussed, and certain recommendations have been sent to the respective Dominion Governments for consideration. It is to be hoped that they will be given early consideration, because unity of thought and action is more essential now than ever.