CONFERENCE ON JAPAN

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25247, 28 July 1947, Page 6

CONFERENCE ON JAPAN

TEN NATIONS FAVOUR U.S. PROPOSAL

POSTPONEMENT OF TALKS THOUGHT CERTAIN (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

(Rec. 10.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, July 26. The United States State Department disclosed that all the 11 nations of the Far Eastern Commission, except Russia, favoured holding a conference on the Japanese peace treaty along the lines suggested by the United States. Ten nations had replied, either formally or informally, approving the proposal that a conference of representatives of the 11 nations most directly concerned with Japan should meet in Washington on a date tentatively suggested as August 19. The British Commonwealth nations, however, had a later date because of the Canberra conference, scheduled for August 26 They had also proposed that the Washington meeting should be on a Ministerial level and should not be confined to deputies of Foreign Ministers and experts.

The United Press says that this makes a postponement certain, probably until after the United Nations’ meeting ih the autumn. The United States is still hopeful that Russia will participate. The Nanking correspondent of the Associated Press reports that the standing committee of the Chinese People’s Political Council, while approving the proposal for a preliminary conference in Washington, decided to demand that China should retain the veto power, and to refuse to resume trade with Japan until a treaty had actually been signed. The Chinese Foreign Office said yesterday that China had agreed to participate in the preliminary conference at Washington on the Japanese ‘peace treaty, but would urge that a formal peace conference should be held in Shanghai.

N.Z. REPRESENTATIVE NOT DECIDED (P.A.) WELLINGTON, July 27. The Prime Minister (Mr P. Fraser) stated to-day that there was no certainty yet as to what Minister of the Crown would represent New Zealand at the British Commonwealth talks to be held in Canberra next month as a preliminary to the Japanese peace treaty conference. The Cabinet had not discussed New Zealand representation. he said; but its task had been considerably simplified by an Opposition agreemen'. to grant a pair for whatever Minister was selected to represent the Dominion.