FAVOURABLE COMMENT

Evening Star, Issue 25169, 8 May 1944, Page 4

FAVOURABLE COMMENT

MR FRASERS REVIEW /Official News Service.) LONDON, May 6. Comment on .Mr Eraser's review of the New Zealand war effort and his replies to the wide variety of questions .asked him at his Press conference m London receive very favourable publicitv and comment in the British Tress to-tlav. The newspapers emphasise and praise the extent of the Dominion's sacrifice on .the fighting fronts, and express gratitude for the determination of New Zealand to supply,foodstuffs to Biitain. ■;"■ \ • The Times ' brackets New Zealand and Australia together in an editorial which acknowledges their part in both the European and Pacific theatres, and adds: " Both Mr Curtin and Mr Eraser have now expressed themselves not only on the contributions that their countries are making to the common endeavour, but also on ways of shaping and achieving the common purposes of the Empire in war and p&ace. Mr Curtin has made it clear on'more than one occasion that, while he is himself convinced of the need for improving the present machinery for consultation and co-operation between the "members of the Commonwealth, he is fully prepared for the ' give and take ' of the discussions on means to that end. THEORY AND PRACTICE. " At his Press conference yesterday, Mr Fraser testified to the working of the existing machinery in time of war. There were occasions when immediate decisions had to be taken in Wellington no less than in London, but at other times, almost without exception, not only was full information given in advance, but there had been time for the Prime Ministers both to take tne views of their Cabinets and to consult the other dominions interested. In the light of his experience, Mr Fraser approached the question of the development of a- commonwealth secretariat with an opeu mind. He agreed that the Prime Ministers and the .Ministers of External Affairs could profitably meet more frequently, but pointed out that it was easier to plan schemes for peisonal contacts than ■to carry them out. Apart from the emergencies of war. domestic controversies, election campaigns, and other accidents of political life make it difficult for leading Ministers to leave their own countries at fixed dates.

:i The conception of Empire which Mr Fraser went on to develop rests on two premises: First, every dominion is a sovereign State, and, as such, is as free as any nation on earth to come to its' own decisions. Secondly, every do-, minion has its own problems, externa! as well as internal, and it is therefore impossible for the Empire to have a single predetermined policy on all matters.' The conclusion drawn from thes" admitted facts is that common action nan be evolved only by a method o* consultation and discussion leading to eventual agreement. This method of solving problems'is the very core of the British Commonwealth system. It is the principle of cabiuet government-, and ft is equally the principle of Imperial conferences. " Mr Fraser made it clear that this method is proving adequate to thf» issues before the conference now in session," the editorial _ concludes. " Men with common traditions, and a common purpose, are finding their way to unanimity, with the result that the conference has already made progress, which Mr Fraser describes as very satisfactory. In short, the Prime Ministers r/in be expected to work their way to conclusions to which each will make his individual contribution, but which, as ultimately formulated, will embody ' the sense of the meeting.' " VALUE OF VISIT

The ' News Chronicle ' comments in an editorial on the value of the visit of the dominion Prime Ministers from tlip viewpoint of giving Britain firsthand information about the dominion'' contribution to the war effort

"It is important that wo in Britain should fully appreciate the part that the dominions are playing. Both Mr Curtin and Mr Fraser have had an epic story to tell ur." the 'News Chronicle ' adds. " When Singapore fell, putting New Zealand and Australia, in a plight comparable .with that of Britain after Dunkirk, their' exertions had to be drastically realigned. The help which at this sts>ge thny received from the United States is 'a matter for Britain's gratitude ;i« woll as for that of the dominions. With these mijrhtv exertions behind them, both Mr Curtin and Mr Fraser can look forward confidentlv to the achievement of a still closer degree of co-operation

between Britain and the dominions as soon as the war is over." The diplomatic correspondent of ' Tin 5 Times ' says that the dominion Prime Ministers at the end of the first week of the conference are well satisfied with the progress so far. . Much more important, they find themselves, after n thorough examination of the many tasks of war and the immediate postwar months, fully agreed on all the plans and arrangements which have been made. The Prime Ministers to-day continued their survey of foreign policy. They dealt specially with the preparation-! now being made to bring food and other vital goods to the liberated countries, and they reviewed all the plans for setting stricken industries going and repairing shattered towns.