INTERNATIONAL BODY

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24386, 12 October 1944, Page 6

INTERNATIONAL BODY

COMMENT BY MR FRASER “ PROPOSALS , WARMLY WELCOMED ” (P.A.) WELLINGTON, October 11. The New Zealand Government warmly welcomed the results of the Dumbarton Oaks talks’, expressed in the preliminary proposals just published. said the Prime Minister (the Rl. Hon. P. Fraser) to-night. The Dominion had amply demonstrated by the deeds of its people the practical value of adherence to the principles of collective security upon which world peace-must depend. “In this document th.re are many points which must be considered, and the New Zealand Government will examine the proposals with the utmost care before formulating its final views.” said Mr Fraser. “M this stage, however. I would like to express great satisfaction at the good beginning made at Dumbarton Oaks towards the establishment of a world'security organisation. We welcome the spirit of the resolution inspiring E.e proposals, which entitles us to believe that Lie °reat Powers are fully determined to fead the United Nations in maintaining peace and security by collective, and. if need be, by (orceful. action. “The recommendation that national -ir forces should immediately be available for combined international enforcement of action appears to be particularly valuable, and goes some way toward meeting the need for some form of international police force. Mr Fraser said the Government also welcomed the fact that the world organisation would rest on a world-wide basis, not on the division of the world into self-contained regions. “A Great Advance”

The attention given to the provision of a suitable basis for international action in social and economic matters, and for the prosecution of essential human rights represented a very great advance. The New Zealand Government had already made known its conviction that the failure ot the League was due not to defects in the covenant, but to other factors, and particularly to lack of resolution, as well as inability on the part of member states in applying the provisions. “It appears to be a weakness m the Dumbarton Oaks talks that there is no express provision, as there was in the covenant, for the defence of the political independence and territorial integrity of all members. It is true that in substitution there is an undertaking to prevent and remove threats to peace, and suppression of acts of aggression, bul at first glance this does not appear to represent an improvement on the provisions of the covenant,” Mr Fraser said. It was to be hoped that the charter of the new world organisation would be drafted in clear, simple language. It should be definite in its terms, and must express those moral principles which could easily be understood, which inspired universal acceptance, and in the absence of which no machinery or security system could avail in the preservation of world peace. BRITISH COMMENT (Special • Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) LONDON, Oct. 10. Newspaper comment on the Dumbarton Oaks plan for peace is reserved but hopeful. The “Daily Telegraph,” in a leading article, says; “It is far from complete, but any criticism must be dominated by the stark fact that the fates of all nations in the modern world are tied together. None will stand, or will ever again stand secure alone. “The old League of Nations, without America and Russia, was only a league of some nations. The United Nations organisation now proposed would command an overwhelming potential of military and economic strength against any aggressor. Machinery for bringing that power into action is provided, with ample power of enforcement. “Yet it will be asked what assurance there is that the air contingents and other forces will actually be available and that the Security Council will act against an aggressor at a timely moment. What majority should be necessary to order th.e national forces into action for any international purpose which some nations do not approve? The answer remains for ‘further consideration.’

“As long as goodwill prevails on the Security Council, but only so long, will peace be rafe.” The “Manchester Guardian” says: “The plan is very like the old League in many respects. The actual ‘character’ has yet to be drafted, and it will certainly differ from the rather loosely worded proposals, but the outline is there, and one can see clearly the shadow of Geneva. Yet this marked resemblance should not blind one to the essential differences, both in spirit and organisation. The biggest change and the. most obvious improvement is in the proposals for enforcing the will of the United Nations by collective action against an aggressor.” The “Manchester Guardian” declares that many points require discussion, but it should not be forgotten that here, as before, there is not a superstate or a federation, or even a confederation. It is simply an instrument of co-operation among the nations, tougher than the League, more limited, more practical, but less aspiring. The “News Chronicle” says: “The plan is bold and simple in outline. There are some serious shortcomings and—at present—one crucial gao. The advocates of a federation will note that the new organisation, like the old. is to be based upon the sovereign equality of its members. Nations will not be asked to surrender one shred of their sovereignty. “The central question of voting in the Security Council is still undecided, and until this has been settled the whole plan is in susDense." The “Daily Herald" says: “On the whole, the clan is good. Here is machinery which can be made to function swiftly and decisively if the will to Deace is insistent. A further study will have to be devoted to the project, and the nlan at least offers the chance that economic collaboration may be al’owed to foster a secure political system.”