END EARLY in JUNE PREDICTED

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24570, 19 May 1945, Page 7

END EARLY in JUNE PREDICTED

(Official* News Service) (Rec. 11-30 p.m.) SAN FRANCISCO, May 17. With some delegates and some newspapers predicting the completion of the San Francisco Conference in the first week of June, the tasks still before the United Nations to-night seemed to be resolving themselves with increasing clarity into three main problems. The first is how far the five Great Powers are prepared to go in the direction of minimising the veto power L which each of them could block action by the world organisation, whether by peaceful or warlike measures. The second problem is how much further the same Powers can be persuaded to go in providing that all nations—and not only the 11 represented on the Security Council—which would Recalled upon to use force would be able to partake in discussing beforehand the situations in which force would be needed. The third problem is how to establish the principles, objectives, and machinery for administration by Trust of the peoples of dependent territories.

The “New York Times” suggests that the veto power of the Big Five has already been softened by the United states compromise with Latin-America, which proposes that regional pacts may hP allowed to take effect in cases where the Security Council fails. But it t? not yet known how far this amendment is favoured by the four other Great Powers—most newspaper reports w that Moscow's view on it is still being awaited. Members of the General Assembly could rise individually and comment or orotest on their own account against any lack of decision by the Great Powers to act, say. against a threat of aggression, and this would serve to f«us the attention qf the public on the nutter. 1 , ~ , On the third major problem before the conference—that of working out the method of applying the principle of trusteeship to the Government of dependent peoples—there is general agreement on the main principle of trusteeship, that the nations concerned should recognise that they have responsibility for the economic, social, and political welfare and advancement of the native peoples. But there is biown to be considerable division of opinion as to how far the principle should be actually enforced, by territories being made subject to compulsory examinations and reports to an International organisation. There are differences on whether it should be made to apply to all dependent territories, including colonies, or only to existing and future mandates (such as islands seized from Japan) and territories placed voluntarily under the system. There is conflict over whether the Security Council or the proposed trusteeship body should be responsible lor applying the principle to native peoples living in strategic or defence areas. There is also division of opinion on whether the ultimate complete independence of the dependent peoples should be set down as an objective. Mr Fraser has indicated that the question has been raised whether the term “self-government” did not in any case imply possible independence. Whatever is the answer, the fact remains that the trusteeship proposals are looming larger as the conference steadily reaches agreement or compromise, on the issues before it. Meanwhile, the veto proposal, which is inherent in the Security Council voting procedure worked out at the Yalta conference, was opened for discussion this afternoon by the committee dealing with the functions and powers of the Council. A number of jnall Powers’ amendments have been «bled, challenging the justification of the proposal that the five Great Powers must be unanimous before security de-i tisions can be effective. New Zealand’s views on the veto were fully explained by Mr Fraser in his Jjßt statement before the plenary session of the conference, and it is expected that he will take an important fltot in the committee discussions. Powers of General Assembly Further progress was made last night to resolving the second of the three main problems, that of giving the natrons outside the Security Council a voice in international disputes. The committee conferred and went on Pith its agenda in the fresh light of Joe previous day’s agreement by the Great Powers to widen to some extent we Mope of discussion by the General ■Assembly. This concession had a Marked effect on the progress of the committee's work, and the decisions it Made were consistent with the main Wociples of the new amendment. Inus, the committee agreed unanimously that the Secretary-General of we new world organisation should be Mqtilred, with the consent of the Seturity Council, to notify the Assembly w any peace and security matter which Jas being dealt with by the Council. He would also be asked to notify the Assembly as soon as the Council Ceased to deal with such a matter. This is interpreted as a gain on the Part of "those nations. New Zealand *mong them, which had drawn attenuon to the absence of any safeguard Against evasion or excessive delay in the handling of important matters by we Security Council. Similarly, the committee agreed Without dissent that the Assembly would be entitled to call the atten“Pß of the Council to situations which m its opinion were likely to endanger Peace.

But proposals going further towards heightening the authority of the New Zealand s to remove altogether the proposed ban on the Assembly making j„X?f nm ? nda tions on any matter being by the Council—were rethe case °f this New ZeaAmendment, a compromise is tmfii -* n the new Great Power proin that such recommendations be made if the Security Council "Wes them. t," 11 important point is seen in the •3? that the Assembly may at least lliiii 01 !? 3 - anjr matter it likes, even nvtej l L-'f r 2nnot always make recomsm?ii °J? S - Representatives of the imii- Powers are heartened by the plications of this right. They say , discussion could bo as useful as j n bringing world 0 hear on ar >y dilatoriness or itv 'X 60685 . °n the part of the SecurthLo^ unci l or the Great Powers in the course of a dispute.

frexch local ELECTIONS

gains by parties • OF LEFT

LONDON, May 17. titoi.? 1 hgures for the French munitaSi inftA t . lons .i. n 957 localities of more to tho r confirm the swing SayS Reuter ’ s Paris cor * fcvS > ( J nmil nists, Socialists, or a comitt P* both, hold the majority in fcJnUnicipalities. The chief losses kti hy the Radical Party fetrlvv. ,3 ns , erva tives. The latter forK«ti eld the majority in 484 muniJJJp, u es, compared with 110 at pre-