PEACE SETTLEMENTS

Evening Star, Issue 25325, 6 November 1944, Page 4

PEACE SETTLEMENTS

RESPONSIBILITIES OF DOMINIONS (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Nov. 5. "It is the duty of the Australian and New Zealand Governments, acting as trustees of their peoples, to see that the war-time labours of our men and women are. fairly'recognised in the peace settlements," said the Australian Minister of External Affairs, Dr H. V". Evatt, broadcasting to-night. "It is, therefore, our duty to take our proper part in the councils of the United Nations. It is our right and duty to state clearly audi frankly what, in our opinion, is in tho interests of our two peoples and the peoples of the Pacific. Clear statements are not enough. We must follow these statements # with courageous action wherever it is re< quired." Dr Evatt said that throughout" the conference the vital objectives, of security from aggression and of international welfare had been kept in the forefront. The conference had also examined the whole range of international policy in order to, see how Australia and New Zealand could help to prevent any resurgence of Fascism and war, and also to help in the attainment of social justice andl economic security. "We do-not wish to be taken as overstating tho influence of Australia and New Zealand upon these great issues," said Dr Evatt. "We are indissolubly linked with a very great military Power—Britain. The separate military power of Australia and New Zealand is limited by our resources. History shows clearly, however, ' that small nations often make vital contributions to the progress of civilisation. Australia and New Zealand no longer conceive this war as merely a negative effort to'prevent our overthrow by the Axis Powers. The war will have been partly lost if in the peace settlement we sow the seeds of a future war."