N.Z. FOREIGN POLICY

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 April 1943, Page 2

N.Z. FOREIGN POLICY

RELATIONS WITH BRITAIN.

AUCKLAND, April 6.

“There have been for many years ideas in the United States that the members of 1 the British Commonwealth of Nations other than the United Kingdom are subservient to and almost impelled to follow London’s dictates,” said Mr. Nash, in an interview. “I have affirmed that New Zealand has never and will never do what she is told to do. I have affirmed also that if New Zealand is asked by Britain to do anything, such is her respect for Britain that New Zealand will do more than she is asked to do.” New Zealand, he added, had made a contribution to the war effort proportionately as great as that made by any other country outside or inside the British Commonwealth. Her natural outlook fitted her to make a great contribution. “There are things necessary for the prosecution of the war, and there can never be any argument in this country whether we should or should not do those things. Our purpose is to resolve to do everything we can to bring the conflict to a victorious conclusion. We shall never argue who is doing the most.” BASES IN NEW ZEALAND

AUCKLAND, April 6

New Zealand has not been committed by any statement by Mr. Nash in America to the granting for permanent use of any of our bases to the United States or any other Power. Mr. Nash, in an interview to-day, made this clear. He said the subject was opened in a question by a notable American correspondent in an interview in which a number' of questions allied to the subject 'were asked.

The meaning of his statements, Mr. Nash emphasised, depended on an understanding of the questions asked and the wording of his replies. The first question asked had been: “Do you think New Zealand would be willing to enter into an agreement for the use of bases for a permanent, mutual, defensive system?” To this his reply was: “Yes, on a mutual basis”.

Other questions, all • couched in somewhat similar terms, were asked and he replied that he thought New Zealand would be agreeable to the use by the United States of any bases that we might have for permanent, mutual, defensive purposes. This would depend entirely upon an agreement which would ensure that we would have the use of any bases that were under the control of the United States. Another question concerned New Zealand’s willingness to enter into agreement with any other nation. To this he had replied that we would be willing to discuss the matter at any time with any of the United Nations in an endeavour to prevent such happenings as that of September, 1939, or December, 1941. This discussion would have to be on a United Nations basis —and he had named the nations he meant by that, viz., China, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, the United States. Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. WELCOME AT WELLINGTON. WELLINGTON, April 7. Mr. Nash arrived in Wellington this morning, with him being Mr/ Fraser Mrs. Fraser, and Mrs. Nash. A largo crowd, including members of his family and representatives of the Legislature, Government Departments. the New Zealand .ijaboui Party. Allied countries, the Aimy, and the Trades Union . Movement, was present at the station to welcome him.