JOINT DEFENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 165, 15 July 1939, Page 8

JOINT DEFENCE.

IN SOUTH PACIFIC. WELLINGTON CONFERENCE. Though no official account has been ieeued to the public, "informed anthorities indicate" that the prime result of the Pacific Defence Conference, held recently in Wellington, will be the establishment of a Pacific Defence Council, "to effect complete co-ordination between all Xew Zealand, Australian and British forces in the South Pacific area." This statement appears in an article in the "Empire Review" by Mr. Donald Cowie, a journalist and author who for some years lived in Xew Zealand. Mr. Cowie adds": "It is stated on reliable authority that this council will consist of three members each from Xew Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom. The same countries will also nominate a military representative. The forces at the disposal of such an authority would include the China Fleet, the Royal Australian Xavy and the Xew Zealand Xaval Squadron; the Far Eastern Command of the Royal Air Force, the. Royal Australian Air Force and the Royal Xew Zealand Air Force; a3 well as the Dominion armies and t"he British troops stationed in the Eastern and Pacific coloniee. "The conference deliberated on tljo fundamental assumption that Great Britain, in event of war, would need all her available strength on the European front and in the Mediterranean. Consideration was therefore given to the necessity of a system of defences that in certain circumstances, would be independent of British reinforcements. Another outcome of the conference may be the establishment of a Pacific Command of the Royal Air Force at Fiji. Such a command would be placed under the jurisdiction of the Defence Council. Moreover, the council would take full control of agricultural 1 and industrial resources in the event of war, so that the Pacific nations would be made self-i-upport injr in foodst nffs. and have surpluses available for shipment to Great Britain. Wider Possibilities. "But it would be wroivcr." Mr. Cowie continues, "to disinNs these discussions as purely a family affair. They have a still trider interest. The formation of a bloc not only to resist but also to restrain aggression in the whole Pacific area has been advocated for many years. A practical, if abortive, expression of thw ideal was. the proposal for a Pacific Peace Pact made by the Prime Minister of Australia in 1937. But such a scheme would always be ineffective unless the wholehearted co-operation of the United States was secured. Aβ the most interested parties, Australia and Xew Zealand, realise the difficulties, of obtaining this co-operation, particularly at the present moment, but are confident of ultimate success. ... It has even l>een suggested that the United States, top-ether with France and Holland, might be asked to appoint official observers to sit with the new Defence Council. "The French Government, in particular, has, been kept fully informed of the decisions ■reached at the conference, and it is understood that Australia has. already received assurances that any French territory in the Pacific is available for the defence of Australia if required. These assurances have special application to Xew Caledonia, which is only 1000 miles from the Australian coast, and would be an invaluable landing ground between Brisbane and Fiji. Tt is believed also that an Australia extends her armaments industry, and is able to supply all her own needs as well as those of British possessions in the Pacific, the French Government may place contract* with her. Similarly, the co-operation of Holland in a scheme for Pacific defence .■would be highly desirable. Holland might find it difficult to reconcile her European ■ neutrality with such a departure, but must consider the grave vulnerability of the vast and wealthy Netherlands East Indies. By joining a Pacific bloc Holland would secure automatic protection for this territory. Position of Canada. "Much interest was aroused in Canada by the announcement of the Pacific discussion*. This Dominion was. not asked to take part, because it was considered that the question of defending the South Pacific involved Australia and Xew Zealand primarily. Xevcrtheless. the defence of the coast of British Columbia is a matter to which the Canadian Government is now devoting much attention, a major share of the current defence estimates being allocated to this purpose, and many observers consider that it would be of interest to CVniada if these plan* could be co-ordinated with the British defence scheme for the Southern Ocean." Discussing the growing ability of Australia and Xew Zealand to fulfil any defence commitments they may undertake, Mr. Cnwie points out that since the last war their populations have nearly doubled, and their resources havo been correspondingly enhanced. "Australia and Xew Zealand, great I'acilk , Powers of the future, have a considerable part to play in the advancing tide of affairs. Therefore, it is to be Imped that the recent discussions on Paeifi:' defence may lead eventually to a wider parley. The only way to end war is to make it impossible Tiy ranging overwhelming strength against i aggressors. If the nations, of the Pacific want peace they must unite in its defence."