CO-OPERATION WITH AUSTRALIA

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 42, 13 November 1941, Page 6

CO-OPERATION WITH AUSTRALIA

It is essential that there should be the closest co-operation between the Governments of Australia and New Zealand and probably the best way to effect it will be for members of the two Ministries to exchange visits. The journey is now only a matter of a few hours. That course would establish a direct personal contact that is invariably more satisfactory and productive of practical results than any official correspondence. The Minister of Finance has just returned from a visit to the Commonwealth, where to some extent he followed in the footsteps of his colleague, the Minister of National Service, who made an extended tour of Australia only a few months ago. Apparently Mr. Nash was as deeply impressed as was Mr. Semple by the wonderful developments in the Commonwealth in the production of arms, munitions and equipment. But, unless he has a more detailed report to make, Mr. Nash has not been able to record any marked advance in the task of putting into operation any plan for united action. It is now nearly five months since Mr. Semple, on his return, explained that “my mission was to search for raw material and the finished article for war purposes in New Zealand.” He added that Australia had promised to “treat us on the same basis of supply as any State in the Commonwealth,” and said that this was “a most satisfactory arrangement.” , People accepted it as something definite, as a plan for immediate operation, endorsing Mr. Semple’s statement that “we must pool our resources and work together as never before to gain victory.” It is a little surprising, five months later, to find Mr. Nash, after his visit, stating: “I am satisfied from discussions we had about New Zealand’s requirements that we will be able to complete very satisfactory arrangements with Australia.” This statement was made in answer to an inquiry as to whether New Zealand could hope for an adequate share of Australia’s production of armaments. It was understood that the basis of supply had been agreed upon last June, but obviously if arrangements have yet to be completed little has actually been done. The matter cannot be left in that vague state.