WILL N.Z. SIGN?

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 200, 24 August 1945, Page 5

WILL N.Z. SIGN?

PREMIER QUESTIONED

Exchanges In House This Forenoon Parliamentary Reporter. WELLINGTON,-this day. Up to the present moment those who would sign the instrument of surrender by Japan would be the United States, the United Kingdom, China and U.S.S.R., and, possibly, France, said the Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, in the House of Representatives this morning, when he asked leave to reply at once to a notice of question by Mr. Aderman (Nat., New Plymouth). He added that to the presenV there was no indication that Australia, any more than New Zealand, would be a signatory to the peace settlement in Japan.

Mr. Aderman's question was whether New Zealand had made a request to the British Government, in association with, or independently of, Australia, to be a signatory to the instrument of surrender by Japan. In the course of his question he asked if the Prime Minister shared the dismay expressed in Australia that the Labour Government in Great Britain should be so off-handed about the claims of Australia and New Zealand for representation. Mr. Fraser said that a question of such a nature should be answered forthwith, because it contained what might be construed as a/ reflection on the United Kingdom Government. He hoped there would be'a sense of responsibility in the putting of questions. "Not Another Lecture?" An Opposition Member: Not another lecture? The Prime Minister reiterated the need for a sense of responsibility so that a delicate international situation would not be made worse. Mr. Broadfoot (Nat., Waitomo), on a point of order, asked if the Prime Minister was in order in giving the House a lecture. ~•;._. -~ Mr Speaker said the Prime Minister; as Leader of the House, had a duty to perform in some matters extending beyond the mere answering of a question. The Prime Minister remarked that members should not impute motives to any of the British Commonwealth Governments or their Allies. Mr Poison (Nat., Stratford): That has been done by Australia. It is all in the paper this morning.

"A Very Serious Matter"

Mr Fraser: Mr. Speaker, would you endeavour to give the member for Stratford some sense of responsibility in these matters? I am dealing with a very serious matter, and would like the House to measure up ■to its international responsibilities. Mr Poison: The Right Honourable Gentleman should measure up himself sometimes. . •. Mr Fraser said there.was no indication that Australia, any more than New Zealand, would be a .signatory to the peace settlement-, in Japan. There was no reflection upon Australia or New Zealand in that matter New Zealand and Australia would both be represented, their representatives being there now. Tn regard to the attitude of the British Labour Government at Potsdam the United Kingdom was repreby Mr. Churchill and Mr. w&n as well as by Mr. Attlee, when £: the National Government, or the "caretaker" Government. Maintain Unity With Britain "T am concerned that our unity Wltti the United Kingdom, should be Jfitattdned above everything,' went "J? Mr Fraser "That is an important Matter and no member of the nn,i£ on either side should say anythat would start even the thin £, ™: n * a divergence between sem c b iive, and the United Kingdom ?n U the mlttl? of foreign policy. Therein the serious iy to the !? re, « in regardL to these matters. Ser an?information any memlev oif the House wants will be av^ Ui V!. a Ua h and New Zealand had the thP present Government was in office wfs not going to quarrel with ?v5 toother Country, even if the Mother Country could not always M( £n J to New Zealand the equality would like because of international conditions.