COMMUNISM IN PACIFIC

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 69, Issue 74, 7 January 1949, Page 5

COMMUNISM IN PACIFIC

UNDER RUSSIAN DIRECTION (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Jan. 6. “The steady and predominant power in the Pacific at present*!? the United States, but in addition to the power of Russia there is a third influence to be reckoned with—the victorious groups of non-whites who want some form of national independence. It remains to be seen whether the activities of these groups become combined under coherent direction from Moscow.’’ These remarks were made today by Mr G. R. Powles, who, after three years as counsellor to the New Zealand Legation (now Embassy) in Washington, has returned to New Zealand for a short visit before taking up the appointment of High Commissioner for Western Samoa.

“In many Pacific countries there is a genuine desire to overthrow the dominance of the countries which have ruled them so long,’’ continued Mr Powles. “These are troubled waters in which badly-disposed people are only too willing to fish. Native Communist movements, are inherently and extremely subject to direction by Russia. “The main reason for the desirability of a co-ordinated policy in the Pacific among the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand is to •enable us to have- a reasonable chance of influencing these people striving for self-government so that they may achieve what they are really entitled to, and at the same time leave them free from the terrible shackles of Communism. This is very much in our own interests and we like to think it is in their interests, too. “It is no less essential actively to foster and maintain friendly relations between the United States and New Zealand.”