FULL TEXT ANNOUNCED

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 18, 22 January 1944, Page 8

FULL TEXT ANNOUNCED

"SPIRIT OF ATLANTIC CHARTER"

The agreement signed in Canberra yesterday between representatives of the Commonwealth and New Zealand .Governments covered a wide range of most important subjects, all of which were vital to the future of the two Dominions, said the Acting Prime Minister (Mr. Sullivan) last; night. He a#ded that the agreement was broad in concept and was in harmony with the spirit of the Atlantic Charter. That it was possible to conclude it in so short a time was evidence of the unity of outlook of the representatives of the two Governments. It was a happy augury for the people of both Australia and New Zealand.

Mr. Sullivan, said that the messages he had received from the Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser) during" the week had all indicated that from the beginning' of the discussions at Canberra there had existed a common outlook on the *part of the representatives of the two countries.

The full text of the agreement is as . follows:— Definition of Objectives of AustralianNew Zealand Co-operation. I. The two Governments agree that, as a preliminary, provision shall be made for fuller exchange of information regarding both the views of each Government and the facts in the possession of either bearing on matters of common interest. 2 The two Governments give mutual assurance that, on matters which appear to be of common concern, each Government will, so far ;as possible be made acquainted with the mind oi the other before views are expressed elsewhere by either. 3. In furtherance of the above provisions with respect to exchange of views and information, the two Governments agree that there shall be the maximum degree of unity in. the presentation, elsewhere, of the views of the two countries. 4 The two Governments agree to adopt an expeditious and continuous means of consultation by which each party will obtain directly the opinions of the other. 5 The two Governments agree to act'together in matters of common concern in the South-west and South Pacific areas. 6 So far as compatible with the existence of separate ™ili}aryc°™mands, the two Governments agree to co-ordinate their efforts for the purpose of prosecuting the war to a successful conclusion. Armistice and Subsequent Arrangements. 7 The two Governments declare that they have vital interests in all preparations for any armistice ending the present hostilities or, any part thereof and also in arrangements sub--sequent to any such armistice and agree that their interests should bp r>rotected\by representation at the Highest level on all armistice planning ,and executive bodies. ■ 8 The two Governments are in agreement that the final peace settlement should be made in respect _of all our enemies after hostilities with all of them are concluded. 9 "Subject.to the last two preceding clauses, the two Governments will seek agreement with each other on the terms of any armistice to be concluded. : 10 The two Governments declare that" they should actively participate in any armistice commission to be set up. ■ 11. His Majesty's Government in the Commonwealth of Australia shall set up in Australia, and his Majesty's Government in the Dominion .ol New Zealand shall set up in New Zealand, armistice and post-hostilities planning committees, and shall arrange for the work of those committees to be co-ordinated in order to give effect to the views of the respective Governments. 12. The two Governments will collaborate generally with regard to the location of machinery set up under international organisations, such as the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration, , and, in particular, with regard to the location of the Far Eastern Committee of that Administration. Security and Defence. 13. The two Governments agree that, ' within the framework of a general system of world security, a regional zone of defence comprising the Southwest and South Pacific areas shall be established and that this zone should be based on Australia and New Zealand, stretching through the arc of islands north and north-east of Australia, to Western Samoa and the Cook Islands. • 14 The two Governments regard it as a matter .of cardinal importance that they should both be associated, not only in membership, but also in the planning and establishment, of the general international organisation referred to in the Moscow Declaration of October, 1943, which organisation is based on the' principle of the sovereign equality of all peace-loving States and open to membership by all such States, large or small, for the maintenance of international peace and security. 15. Pending the re-establishment of law. and order and the inauguration of a system' of general security, the two Governments hereby declare their vital interest in the action on behalf of the community of nations contemplated in Article 5 of the Moscow Declaration of October, 1943. For that purpose it is agreed that it would be I>roper for Australia and New Zeaand to assume full responsibility for policing or sharing in policing such areas in the South-west and South Pacific as may from time to time be agreed upon. 16. The two Governments accept as a recognised principle of international practice that the construction and use, •in time of war by any Power of naval, military, or air installations, in any territory, unde^ the sovereignty or control of another Power, does not, in itself, afford any basis for territorial iclaims or rights of sovereignty or control after the conclusion of hostilities. . Civil Aviation. 17. The two Governments agree that the regulation of all air transport services should be subject to the terms iof a convention which will supersede .the convention relating to the regula- • tion of aerial navigation. . 18. The two Governments declare •that the air services using the international air trunk routes should be •operated by an international air transport authority. ": 19. The two Governments support the principles that — (a) Full control of the international air trunk routes and the ownership of "all aircraft and ancillary equipment should be vested in the international air transport authority, and (b) The international air trunk routes should themselves be specified ; in the international agreement referred to in the next succeeding clause. 20. The two Governments agree that the creation of the international air transport authority should be effected • by an international agreement. *■ 21. Within the framework of the system set up under any such international agreement the two Governments ■ support— (a) The right of each country to conduct all air transport services within its own national jurisdiction, including ;its own contiguous territories, subject (•only to agreed international requireC.ments regarding safety, facilities, landing and transit rights for international : services and exchange of mails. ■ (b) The right of Australia and New Zealand to utilise to the fullest extent their productive capacity in respect of aircraft and raw materials for the production of aircraft, and (c) The right of Australia and New Zealand to use a fair proportion of their own personnel, agencies, and materials in operating and maintaining international air trunk routes.

22. In the event of failure to obtain a satisfactory international agreement to establish and govern the use of international air trunk routes, the two Governments will support a system of air trunk routes controlled and operated by the Governments of the British Commonwealth of Nations under Government ownership. 23. The two Governments will act jointly in support of the above-men - ; tioned principles with respect to civil aviation, and each will inform the other of its existing interests and commitments, as a basis of advancing the policy herein agreed upon. Dependencies and Territories. 24. Following the procedure adopted at the conference which has just concluded, the two Governments will regularly exchange information . and views in regard to all developments in or affecting the islands of the Pacific. 25. The two Governments take note of the intention of the Australian Government to resume administration at the earliest possible moment of those parts of its territories which have not yet been reoccupied. . 26. The two Governments declare that the interim administration and ultimate disposal of enemy territories in the Pacific are of vital importance to Australia and New Zealand, and that any such disposal should be effected only with their agreement and as part of a general Pacific settlement. 27. The two Governments declare that no change in the sovereignty or system of control of any of the islands of the Pacific should be effected except as a result of an agreement to which they are parties or in the terms of which they have both concurred. Welfare and Advancement of Native Peoples of the Pacific. 28. The'two Governments declare that, in applying the principles of the Atlantic Charter to the Pacific, the doctrine of "trusteeship" (already applicable in the case of the mandated territories of which the'two Governments are mandatory Powers) is applicable in broad principle to all "colonial territories in the Pacific and elsewhere, and { that; the main purpose of the trust is the welfare of the native peoples and their social, economic, and political I development. • • 29. The two Governments agree that, the future of the various territories of the Pacific and the welfare of their inhabitants cannot be successfully promoted without a greater measure of collaboration between the numerous authorities concerned in their control, | and that such collaboration is particularly desirable in regard to health services and communications, matters of! native education, anthropological investigation, assistance in native production, and material development generally. 30. The two Governments agree to promote the establishment, at the earliest possible date, of a regional organisation with advisory powers, which could be called the South Seas Regional Commission, and on which, in addition to representatives of Australia and New Zealand, there might be accredited representatives of xthe Governments of the United Kingdom and the United States of America, and of the French Committee of National Liberation. 31. The two Governments agree that it shall be the function of such South Seas Regional Commission as may be established to secure a common policy on social, economic, and political development directed towards the advancement and well being of the native peoples themselves, and that in particular the Commission shall — (a) Recommend arrangements for the participation of natives in administration in increasing measure with a view to promoting the ultimate attainment of self-government in the form most suited to the circumstances of the native peoples concerned. ' . (b) Recommend arrangements for material development including production, finance, communications, and marketing. (c) Recommend arrangements for co-ordination of health and medical services and education. (d) Recommend arrangements for maintenance and improvement standards of native welfare in regard to labour conditions and participation of natiyes in administrative and social services. (c) Recommend arrangements for collaboration in economic, social, medical, and anthropological research, and (f) Make ; and publish periodical reviews of progress, towards the development of self-governing institutions in the islands of the Pacific and in the improvement of standards of living, conditions of work, education, health, and general welfare. Migration. 32. In the peace settlement or other negotiations the two Governments will accord one another - full support in maintaining the accepted principle that every Government has the right to control immigration and emigration in regard to all territories within its jurisdiction. , 33. The two Governments will collaborate, exchange full information, and .render full assistance to one another, in all matters concerning migration to their respective territories.

International Conference Relating to the South-west and South Pacific. 34. The two Governments agree that, as soon as practicable, there should be a frank exchange of views on the problems of security, post-war development, and native welfare between properly accredited representatives of the Governments with existing territorial interests in the South-west Pacific area or in the South Pacific area, or in both, namely, in addition to the two Governments, his Majesty's Government in ithe United Kingdom, the Government of the United States of America, the Government of the Netherlands, the French Committee of National Liberation, and the Government of Portugal, and his Majesty's Government in the Commonwealth of Australia should take the necessary steps to call a conference of the Governments concerned. Permanent Machinery for Collaboration and Co-operation 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, organisation, equipment, training, and exercise of Armed Forces under a common doctrine, joint planning, interchange of staff, co-ordination 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. . x , .. , (b) Collaboration m 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 Zealand, 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 hignpst standards of social security. (c) Co operation in encouraging missionary work and other activities directed towards improvement of welfT6OT£eatitwoPG Oofement S declare their desire to have the adherence to thl objectives set out in the last preceding clause of any other Government having or controlling territories i%7 heThe Clf two Governments agree that the methods, to be used for■carryin? out the provisions of Clause 35 otj They inrthev agree that such methods ShS) CtoSSS'ce of Ministers of State to be held alternately, in Canberra and Wellington, it being the aim of the two Governments that these conferences be held at least twice a year (b) Conferences of departmental officers and technical experts. (c) Meetings of standing/ mterGovernmental - committees oh such subjects as are agreed to by the two Governments. , (d) The fullest use of the status and functions of the High Commissioner of the Commonwealth of Australia in New Zealand and of the High Commissioner of the Dominion of New Zealand in Australia. . (c) Regular exchange of information. ' ~ j i (f) Exchange of officers, and (g) The development of institutions in either country serving the common purposes of both. Permanent Secretariat. 38 In order to ensure continuous collaboration on the lines set put in this agreement and to facilitate the carrying out of the duties and practices involved, the two Governments agree that a permanent secretariat shall be established in Australia and in New Zealand. 39 The secretariat shall be known as the Australia-New Zealand Affairs Secretariat and shall consist of a secretariat of the like name to be set up in Australia and a secretariat of the like name to bet set up in New Zealand, each under; the control of the Ministry of External Affairs m the country concerned. . 40. The function's of the secretariat shall be: — (a) To take the initiative in ensuring that effect is given to the provisions of this agreement. (b) To make arrangements as the occasion arises for the holding of conferences or meetings. (c) To carry out the directions of those conferences in regard to further consultation, exchange of information, or the examination of particular questions. (d) To co-ordinate all forms of collaboration between the two Governments. (c) To raise for joint discussion and action such other matters as may seem from day to day to require attention by the two Governments, and (f) Generally to provide for more frequent and regular exchanges of information and views, those exchanges between the two Governments to take place normally through the respective High Commissioners. ■ 41. His Majesty's Government in the Commonwealth, of Australia and his Majesty's Government in the Dominion of .New Zealand each shall nominate an officer or officers from the staff of their respective High Commissioners to act in closest collaboration with the secretariat in which they shall be accorded full access to all relevant sources of information. 42. In each country the Minister of State for External Affairs and the Resident High Commissioner shall have joint responsibility for the effective functioning of the secretariat. Ratification and Title of Agreement. 43. This agreement is subject tto ratification by the respective Governments and shall come into force as soon as both Governments have ratified the agreement and have notified each other accordingly. It is intended that such notification will take place as soon as possible after the signing of this agreement. 44. This agreement shall be known as the Australia-New Zealand Agreement, 1944. Dated this twenty-first day of January, one thousand nine hundred and forty-four. Signed on behalf of his Majesty's Government in the Dominion of New Zealand. Signed on behalf of his Majesty's Government in the Commonwealth of Australia. (Signatures of members of delegations followed.)