CANBERRA DECISIONS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 99, 22 January 1944, Page 5

CANBERRA DECISIONS

Text of N.Z.-Australian Pact Announced PEACE SETTLEMENT IN PACIFIC

The Acting Prime Minister, Mr. Sullivan, released last night a summary of the principal points in the clauses of the agreement made in Canberra between representatives of the Commonwealth and New Zealand Governments. Mr. Sullivan said that the messages he had received from Mr. Fraser during the week had all indicated that from the beginning there existed a common outlook on the part of representatives of the two countries. “The agreement,” he said, “covers a wide range of most important subjects—all of which are vital to the future of our two Dominions. It is broad in concept and in harmony with the spirit of the Atlantic Charter. That it was possible to conclude it in so short a time is evidence of the unity of outlook of the representatives of both Governments. It is indeed a happy augury for the people of our two countries.’'

The text of the Agreement is as follows :— / DEFINITION AND OBJECTIVES OF COLLABORATION. 1. Provision for a fuller exchange of information and views 5n matters of common interest. 2. Mutual assurance that each will bo acquainted of the mind of the other before its views are expressed elsewhere. 3. Maximum degree of unity in the presentation of views of the two countries. 4. Expeditious and continuous means of consultation. 5. The Governments to act together in matters of common concern in the Southwest and South Pacific. 6. Compatible with separate military commands the Governments agree to coordinate their efforts for the prosecution of the war to a successful conclusion. ARMISTICE AND SUBSEQUENT ARRANGEMENTS. 7. The Governments have vital interests in all armistice preparations ending hostilities, or any part thereof, and also in subsequent arrangements and claim representation at the highest level of all planning and executive bodies. 8. Final peace settlement to be made after hostilities with all enemies are concluded. 9. Subject to the above the Governments will seek agreement with each other or any armistice terms. 10. The two Governments should actively participate in any Armistice Commission. 11. Each Government to set up an Armistice and Post-Hostilities Planning Committee. 12. The Governments to collaborate generally regarding the location of machinery set up under international organizations.'e.g., U.N.'R.R.A. 13. The Governments agree that within the framework of a general system of world security a regional zone of defence comprising the South-west and South Pacific areas shall be established, based on Australia and New Zealand, and stretching through the arc of islands north and north-east of Australia to Western Samoa and the Cook Islands. 14. The Governments consider it of cardinal importance to be associated in planning the establishment and later stages of the general international organization referred to in the Moscow Declaration of October, 1943. 15. Pending the re-establishment of law and order and the inauguration of a system of general security the two Governments declare their vital interest in the action contemplated in Article 5 of the Moscow Declaration, and both consider it proper to assume full responsibility for policing or sharing in policing the areas in the South-west and South Pacific. 16. The Governments accept as a recognized principle of international practice that construction and use by any Power in time of war of naval, military or air installations in any territory under sovereignty ot control of another Power does not afford any basis for territorial or sovereignty rights after the conclusion of hostilities. '' CIVIL AVIATION.

17. Regulation of all air transport services should be subject to the terms .of a convention to supersede the International Convention on Aerial Navigation. 18. The Governments declare that services using international air trunk routes should be operated by an international air transport authority. 19. The following principles are supported : — (A) Full control of international air trunk routes and ownership of all aircraft and ancillary equipment thereon by the international air transport authority. and — (B) International air trunk routes to be specified in international agreement. 20. The Governments agree that an international agreement should be concluded providing for the creation of the international air transport authority. 21. Within the framework of any such agreement the Governments support: (a) The right of each country to conduct all services within its own _national jurisdiction including its own contiguous -territories, subject only to international requirements' regarding safety, facilities, landing and transit rights for. international services and exchanging of mails, (b) Tiie right of Australia and New Zealand to utilize to the fullest extent their productive capacity in respect of aircraft and materials, (c) The right of Australia and New Zealand to use a fair proportion of their own personnel, agencies and materials in operating and maintaining the international air trunk routes.

22. In event of failure to obtain a satisfactory international agreement for the establishment and use of international air trunk routes, the Governments will support a system of air trunk routes controlled and operated by the Governments of +he British Commonwealth under Government ownership. 23. The Governments will act jointly in support of the above-mentioned principle with respect to civil aviation and will inform other of existing interests and commitments. DEPENDENCIES & TERRITORIES. 24. The Governments will regularly exchange information and views in regard to developments in or affecting the islands of the Pacific. 25. The Governments note the intention of the Australian Government to resume administration as soon as possible, of territories not yet re-occupied. 26. The Governments declare that interim administration and ultimate disposal of enemy territories in the Pacific is of vital importance to Australia and New Zealand. They will not consent to, or recognize the disposal of these territories except with their agreement and as part of a general Pacific settlement. 27. The Governments declare that no change in sovereignty or system of control of any Pacific islands should be made except by agreement to which they Pre parties or in the terms of which they have both concurred. WELFARE AND ADVANCEMENT OF NATIVE PEOPLES.

28. The Governments declare, that, in applying the Atlantic Charter to the Pacific, the doctrine of “Trusteeship” is applicable in broad principle to all colonial territories, and that the main purpose of the trust is the welfare of the native peoples and their social, economic and political development. 29. The Governments agree that the future of the territories of the Pacific and the welfare of inhabitants cannot be successfully promote;! without a greater measure of collaboration by the authorities concerned in their control. 30. The Governments agree to promote the establishment as soon as flpssible of a regional organization with advisory powers called the “South Seas Regional Commission,” on which, in addition to Australian and New Zealand representatives. there might be representatives of the Governments of the United Kingdom, the United States and the French. 31. The Governments agree that, it shall be the function of such commission to secure a common policy on social, economic and political developments directed toward the advancement ant}, welFbeina

of native peoples and that, in particular, the commission shall recommend Arrangements for: . . ... (a) Participation of natives in administration with a view to promoting ultimate attainment of self-government in the form most suitable to the circumstances of the native peoples concerned. (b) Material development, including production, finance, communications and marketing. (c) Co-ordination of health and medical services, education. (d) Maintenance of recognized standards of native welfare in regard to labour conditions and social services and nutrition. '

(e) Arrange for collaboration in economic, social, medical and anthropological research. (f) Making and publishing periodical reviews of progress toward development of self-governing institutions in the Pacific islands and in the improvement of standards of living, conditions of workmen, education, health and general welfare. MIGRATION. 32. In peace settlement or other negotiations the Governments will accord each other full support in maintaining the accepted principle that every' Government has the right to control immigration and emigration in territories within its jurisdiction. 33. The Governments will collaborate, exchange full information and render all assistance to each other in all matters concerning migration to their territories.

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE RELATING TO SOUTH-WEST & SOUTH PACIFIC.

34. The Governments agree on a frank exchange of views as soon as possible on problems of security, post-war developments, and native welfare between properly accredited representatives of other Governments with existing territorial interests in the South-west or South Pacific area, namely, the United States, Netherlands, French, Portugal, and the Australian Government will take the necessary steps to call the conference. PERMANENT MACHINERY FOR COLLABORATION BETWEEN AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND. '

35. The Governments are agreed upon: (a) Co-operation in defence to be attained through continued consultation on defence matters, organization, equipment, training and exercise of armed forces under a commpn doctrine, joint planning, interchange of staff, co-ordina-tion of policy for the production of munitions, aircraft and supply items, and for shipping to secure the greatest possible degree of mutual aid consistent with maintenance of the policy of self sufficiency in local production. ('b) Collaboration in external policy of matters affecting peace, welfare and good Government of the Pacific, to be secured through exchange of information and frequent Ministerial consultation. (c) Development of commerce between Australia and New Zealaud, their industrial development to be secured by consultation and in agreed cases by joint planning. . (d) Co-operation in achieving full employment in Australia and New Zealand and territories and the highest standards of social security. (e) Co-operation in encouraging missionary work and other activities directed toward ’improvement of \vclfare of native peoples. 36. The Governments declare their desire to- Save the adherence of any country having or controlling territories in the Pacific to the objectives set out in Clause 35. 317. The Governments agree that the method to be used for carrying out Clause 35 and other provisions shall be consultation, exchange of. information, and, Where applicable, joint planning. Such methods to include (a) Conferences pf Ministers to be held alternately in Canberra and Wellington, it being the aim of the two Governments to hold these at least twice a year. (b) Conferences .of departmental officers and technical experts. (c) Meetings of standing inter-govern-mental committees on such subjects as are agreed to by the two Governments. (d) Fullest use of status and functions of High Commissioners. (e) Regular exchange of information. (f) Exchange of officers. (g) Development of institutions in either country serving the common purposes of both. PERMANENT SECRETARIAT.

38. To ensure continued collaboration and to give effect to the decision of the agreement a permanent secretariat is to be established. • 39. The secretariat is to be known as the Australian-New Zealand Affairs Secretariat to be set up in each country, each under control of the Ministry of External Affairs. ‘ 40. Functions of secretariat: — (a) To take the initiative in ensuring that effect is given to the provisions of the agreement. (b) To arrange as the occasion arises for the holding of conferences or meetings. (c) To carry out directions of conferences in regard to further consultations, exchange of information, or examination of particular questions. (d) To collaboration between the two Governments. (e) To raise for joint discussion and action such other matters as may seem to require attention by the two Governments. A (f) Generally no provide for more frequent and regular exchange of information and views, these exchanges to take place normally through the respective High Commissioners. 41. Each Government will nominate au officer or officers from the High Commissioner’s stuff to act in closest collaboration with the Secretariat where they will be accorded full access to all the relevant sources of information. 42. In each country the Minister for External Affairs and the Resident High Commissioner shall have point responsibility for the effective functioning of the Secretariat. RATIFICATION. 43. The agreement to be subject to ratification by the respective Governments and to come into force on the date of ratification.

Article Five of the Moscow Agreement referred to in the above Agreement says: “For the purpose of maintaining international peace and security pending the re-establishment of Jaw and order, and the inauguration’of a system of general security, they (the contracting parties, the United States Britain, Russia, and China), will consult with one another and. as the occasion requires, with other members of the United Nations, with a view to joint action on behalf of the community.”