U.S. JOURNALIST IN AUSTRALIA

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 281, 22 August 1940, Page 10

U.S. JOURNALIST IN AUSTRALIA

Talk With Prime Minister

SUGGESTED POST-WAR TRADE PACTS

(By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) CANBERRA. August 20.

Tlie visiting American journalists, who arrived here by air today from Sydney, had an hour’s conference today with tlie Prime Minister. Mr. R. G. Menzies, who gave them a thorough conception of Hie Government's view of Australia’s position in tlie general picture of Pacific strategy. .Mr. Roy Howard plied the Premier with a series of questions about tlie post-war possibilities of wide trade agreements between tlie English-speak-ing nations. suggesting a Customs union between Australia and New Zealand as a possible starting point. Mr. Menzies disclosed Hie difficulties which had prevented this action in the past, citing the political influence of Hie Australian potato grower against importation'of New Zealand potatoes, and said that It was a question of balancing Australia’s desires against practical politics. As a result of the close war collaboration, however, lie could foresee a possible closer Customs arrangement in tlie future. The visitors had breakfast with the Governor-General, Lord Gowrie. Later they met members of the Federal Cabinet and representatives of the Press Gallery at morning tea, and then spent half an hour with the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. J. Curtin. They are looking and feeling a little jaded after their strenuous tour since leaving their own country, but all say that they can “take it.” MELBOURNE, August 20. The United States journalists arrived by air from Canberra at 5 p.m. today. They were met by State Ministers and officials, lint had no engagements tonight. Tomorrow they will visit the A.I.F. camp at Puckapunyal. and later will see a typical Victorian sheep station. On Thursday they will fly to Brisbane direct. When told today that they were to inspect a sheep station, one exclaimed: “A sheep station! All we want to see is a sleep station.” CAMP VISITED Aviation Expert Admires Aircraft Works (Received August 21. 11.55 p.m.) MELBOURNE, August 21. Three United States journalists who visited tlie A.I.F. camp at Puckapunyal today saw tlie men at advanced training exercises. The unit's which impressed them greatly were tlie motorized transport, artillery, and mobile anti-aircraft guns. The men’s physique and their keenness were admired by tiie Americans.

A group of aviation experts in the party visited the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation’s works. “It is absolutely as modern as anything I have seen. I have never been so surprised by anything'in my life. I never expected to see anything like this. It compares with tlie most modern plants in America,” said Mr. Ansel Talbert, aviation editor of Hie New York “Herald Tribune.” Tonight the parly visited Government House before attending a dinner given by Hie Newspaper Proprietors’ Association. MR. HOWARD NAMED Request By President Refused . HYDE PARK, August 20. President Roosevelt revealed that the journalist. Mr. Roy Howard, was the individual he mentioned iu a statement on July 19, as declining a request to help tlie defence programme. He added that he asked Mr. Howard to investigate fifth column activities in South America. AUSTRALIA TO BUILD SMALL CRAFT Advice From Britain SYDNEY, August'2o. The British Government, according to a correspondent of tlie “Sun,” lias advised Australia in connexion witli its shipbuilding programme to concentrate on building destroyers, sloops, minesweepers and coastal escort vessels, and leave the construction of 10,000-ton cargo ships to British yards, which are better equipped. AMERICAN DEFENCE

PACT

Implications For N.Z. And

Australia

CANBERRA, August 20.

The decision of the United States and Canada to set up a Defence Board lias most interesting implications for Australia and New Zealand, declared the Minister of External Affairs, Mr. J. McEwen, in the House of Representatives today.

He pointed out that, for the first time in history, a Bower engaged in ti major war is associated witli a neutral country in this manner. The past few months, Mr. McEwen added, had brought home to the people and Administration of the United States that the defence of that country and the defence of all the American republics could not be regarded on a basis of insularity.