DEFENCE IN THE PACIFIC

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25208, 12 June 1947, Page 7

DEFENCE IN THE PACIFIC

Australia And U.S. To Co-operate JOINT STATEMENT ON TALKS (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 11 p.m.) CANBERRA, June 11. The war-time co-operation between America and Australia in the Pacific will be continued. This was indicated in a joint statement to-day by the Minister of External Affairs (Dr. H. V. Evatt) and the United States Ambassador to Australia (Mr Robert Butler). The statement says: “Admiral L. E. Denfeld, Commander-in-Chief of the United States Navy, Army, and Air Forces in the Pacific area, is leaving to-day for his headquarters at Pearl Harbour after discussions with the Australian Government and service authorities on matters of mutual interest in the Pacific. “The purpose of Admiral Denfeld’s visit was to ensure the continuance of the close co-operation between the United States and Australian services which existed all through the war period and which contributed so much to the victory in the Pacific. “There is a practical identity of Pacific interests and most excellent relationships existing between the United States and Australia. “The discussions Admiral Denfeld has had with the Prime Minister, the Minister of External Affairs, the Minister of the Navy, and the service authorities have covered the mutual interests of the two countries in the Pacific, and it is natural that such discussions should be repeated from time to time. “They are the natural outcome of the close association between the two Governments which characterised the war period, and, being purely defensive in character, they are completely in accord with the principles and purposes of the United Nations. The discussions Admiral Denfeld has had during the last few days in Australia have been entirely successful from all points of view.”