USE OF BASES

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 81, 6 April 1943, Page 4

USE OF BASES

N.Z. AND AMERICA

DOMINION'S POSITION

New Zealand has not been committed by any statement made by Mr. Nash in America to the granting, for permanent use, of any New Zealand bases to the United States or any other Power. This was made clear by the New Zealand Minister to Washington in an interview to-day. He recapitulated the answers he had given to United States newsmen when questioned in regard to this matter. Mr. Nash pointed out that the question was raised during an interview with a notable American correspondent, in which a number of questions allied to the subject were asked. The meaning of his statements, he emphasised, depended on an understanding of the questions asked and the wording of his replies. "I think I can remember exactly the wording of the first question," said Mr. Nash. "It was, 'Do you think New Zealand would be willing to enter into an agreement for the use of bases for a permanent, mutual defensive system?' My answer was, 'Yes, on a mutual basis.' " Mutual Basis Essential Mr. Nash said that a number of other questions were asked, all in somewhat similar terms. He had said he thought that New Zealand would be agreeable to the use by the United States of any bases that we might have for permanent, mutual defensive purposes. This would depend entirely upon an agreement which would ensure that we would have the use of any bases that were under the control of the United States. Mr. Nash pointed out that another question concerned New Zealand's willingness to enter into an agreement with any other nation. To this he had replied that we would be willing to discuss the matter at any time with any of the United Nations, in an endeavour to prevent such happenings as that of September, 1939, or December, 1941. This discussion would have to be on a United Nations basis, and he had named the nations he meant as China, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, the United States, Canada, Australia and ourselves. The Minister said that in any statements he had made, as New Zealand's representative in international affairs, he had been guided by the principles New Zealand had enunciated at the 1936 League of Nations meeting. Those included support for an international police force, the principle that, if sanctions were applied they should be automatic, and that the nations applying sanctions must be willing to use force if necessary. Impressions of President Mr. Nash paid a high tribute to the United States and to President Roosevelt, both as its leader and as an international figure. He had been tremendously impressed with Mr. Roosevelt's grasp of all aspects of the world situation. The Minister had been" given a very warm reception in Washington, and, as the representative of this country he nad been given publicity second only to that accorded to Mr. Roosevelt and Lord Halifax. "There have been for many years ideas in the United States that the members of the Commonwealth ot Nations, other than the United King;, dom are subservient to and almost impelled to follow the dictates ot London," said Mr. Nash. -. i - "I have affirmed that New Zealand has never, and will never, do what she is told to do. She has never been told to do anything," added Mr. Nash. "I have , affirmed also that if NewZealand is asked by' Britain to do anything, such is her respect for Britain that New Zealand will do more than she is asked to do. ' New Zealand's Great Effort, New Zealand, said Mr. Nash, had made a contribution to the war effort that was proportionately as great as that made by any other country inside or outside the British Commonwealth of Nations. Her natural outlook fitted her to make a great contribution. There were things that had to be done that were necessary for the prosecution of the war. There could never be any argument in this country as to whether Ave should or should not do those things. Our purpose was to resolve to do everything that we could to bring this conflict to a victorious conclusion. We would never argue, said Mr. Nash, as to who was doing the most. We had to watch every angle. We would not take such action that we would destroy our economy. For instance, if we so depleted our own store of foodstuffs that we damaged the morale of our own country, that would not be beneficial or helpful to the war effort. However, we ought not to argue that we ought to have anything here just because we were here. New Zealand, concluded Mr. Nash, had more to lose than any other country. MR. NASH'S FUTURE GEOFFREY COX DEPUTISING When asked whether he would be returning to Washington or remain- • ing in the Dominion, Mr. Nash said yesterday: "I cannot say anything on that at the moment, as I shall be discussing the position with the Prime Minister." Mr. Nash said that while he was absent from Washington the Dominion's interests would be attended to by Mr. Geoffrey Cox, first secretary to the New Zealand Legation in Washington. He knew matters would be well looked after/by Mr. Cox, who with himself had re- • counted the exploits of the New Zealand Division to enthusiastic audiences. President Roosevelt -himself • had shown a personal interest in the division.