COMMONWEALTH SOLIDARITY

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25738, 25 February 1949, Page 9

COMMONWEALTH SOLIDARITY

MR FRASER SPEAKS ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS REFERENCES TO IRELAND AND ‘ RUSSIA (PA.) WELLINGTON, Feb. 24. “One of the greatest distinctions between the Eastern nations.—the Soviet group—and the British Commonwealth is that difference do not divide us, for our Empire works on the principle that the more independent a nation is, the closer are its bonds of trust,” said the Prime Minister (Mr Fraser), addressing members of the Royal Empire Society to-day.

Mr Fraser said that the desire of colonies, now granted self-government, to remain within. the Commonwealth, was one of the most important points of the recent Commonwealth Conference in London. India, Pakistan, and Ceylon had shown the greatest friendliness. and it would be. a tragedy should they break away. The problem of whether such countries as republics could remain under the Crown as members of the British Commonwealth was at present taxing the minds of leading British legal authorities. The Irish people were at present more friendly than ever. Had Northern Ireland elected to break away, it wbuld have placed many persons in the service of the Crown suddenly in the position of being aliens. Northern Ireland was, however, still a member of the Commonwealth, and it was to be hoped that the Eire Republic would also enter into close relations with Britain in peace and war. Mr Fraser said he felt that the people of Northern and Southern Ireland were morally united, and would not countenance any attempt at violence.

Britain’s spirit of hope to-day was an inspiration to members of the Commonwealth. he continued. In all Britain’s difficulties, there was a feeling that her problems were easing, and it was true that some recent developments in electric power and housing were encouraging signs. “In many ways,” said Mr Fraser, “we can learn from developments in Britain.” Mr Fraser described as nonsense suggestions that the Marshall Plan was an indication of United States’ aggression. He said the plan was simply one in which nations in Europe could again become self-supporting. From the diplomatic point of view, the Atlantic Pact was one of the greatest pacts in history. The Russians were disseminating documents alleging that the pact was aggressive, but this was ridiculous.

“With the countries behind the pact, a force will be there to eaual anything that could be raised from the dictatorship side, so that peace can be assured,” Mr Fraser added.