CANBERRA TALKS

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 January 1944, Page 5

CANBERRA TALKS

AUSTRALIAN-N.Z. DEFENCE

ISLAND SCREEN SCHEME

(N.Z.P.A. Special Australian Correspondent) CANBERRA, January 18. The sessions of the Australia-N.Z. Ministerial Conference are being held in camera, but after to-day’s talks the Australian Prime Minister, Mr. Curtin, who is presiding, announced that the Commonwealth Government would welcome New Zealand representatives on the Australian Defence Council when the two Governments felt that the stage had been reached at which advantages could be gained from joint examination of mutual problems. New Zealand representatives would also be welcomed on the Australian Joint Planning Committee (comprising Government representatives and defence advisors). Mr. Curtin issued these invitations for New Zealand collaboration in the course of a statement to the Conference on the defence of the South-west Pacific region. The fundamental concept of the Australian Government, he said, Avas that the best defence of Australia and New Zealand was to be secured by a system of defence based on the island screen to the north of the two countries, declared Mr. Curtin. The purposes of such a system would be to preserve the strategical isolation of Australia and New Zealand.. Avhose security was linked with that of the adjacent islands. “In the hands of ourselves or a friendly power, and adequately defended, these islands are a bulwark to the defence of Australia and New Zealand, and also points for offensive action against an enemy,” he said. “In the possession of an enemy, they are springboards for offensive action against our mainlands.” Mr. Curtin pointed out that the realisation of this strategical concept, involved such important considerations as. firstly, the location of bases; secondly, the strength of the Dominion forces aA'ailable for their defence; thirdly, the assistance that would be forthcoming from other parts of the Empire and international co-operation. Such forward. bases must be located Avhere their maintenance could be assured. They should not be capable of being by-passed, neutralised and ultimately occupied. The holding of such an island screen meant sea power, air power and a garrison, Avith installation facilities, such as docks, aerodromes, and defences. Australia and Nevi- Zealand would require British co-operation, particularly in the provision of sea power, to ensure command of the South-west Pacific sea lanes and the maintenance of overseas communications to this area. Without command of the sea and the air, the island defences could readily be subdued. In such circumstances, the mainlands of Australia and New Zealand became wide open to attack.

CO-OPERATION WITH OTHERS

Referring to the ability of Australian and Zealand land and air forces to provide both for their mainland defences and for bases in the island screen, Mr. Curtin said the Australian Government believed this could not be determined at present, because the post-war situation could not be foreseen. He stated that the defence of the island screen would involve co-operation with Britain and with foreign Powers, such as the 'Netherlands, Portugal, the United States, and France, all of Avhich held possessions in the South-west Pacific area.

Mr. Curtin urged Empire co-opera-tion as part of a system of collective security organised on a world and regional basis. More speedy progress was possible in Empire co-operation than in world collective security, though the two were complementary. It was, therefore, important that the nations of the British Commonwealth should reach an understanding as quickly as possible for their closer cooperation in Empire defence. As the first step towards securing this cooperation, Mr. Curtin suggested that the problems -of Australia and New ■Zealand should be studied by the de-' fence staffs of the two countries, considered by their respective Governments, and then studied at a further joint conference before being remitted to the Prime Ministers’ Conference in London for examination and report from the aspect of Empire co-opera-tion in defence. Political discussions on security for this region could simultaneously be conducted between >al! of the nations concerned.

TRANSPORT AND TERRITORY

(X.Z.P.A. Special Australian Correspondent)

CANBERRA, January 18

A. proposal that an international transport authority should be established to operate major overseas air lines after the war is believed to be among submissions to be considered by the Australian-New Zealand Ministerial Conference here. This suggestion is part of a comprehensive .plan covering territorial questions, trade ana post-war economy. designed, to promote international amity, particularly in the Pacific area. The delegates to the conference, which has opened so auspiciously. are confident that a com- • mon understanding will be reached on documentary submissions embodying this plan, thus enabling New Zealand and Australia to act in unison at the furthcoming conference of. Empire Prime Ministers in London and subsequently at wider international meetings. In post-war civil aviation, it is believed, a wide agreement could be hoped for by the establishment of an international transport authority. Under such an arrangement it might be agreed that New Zealand and Australian personnel should assist to man international services linking New Zealand and Australia with the rest of the world. Such an international transport authority, it is held, would not prevent New Zealand and. Australia from operating either internal air services or feeder services m adjacent territories. The discussions by the conference on territorial questions will, it.is believed. be directed towards the maintenance of the British possessions in the Pacific. It is considered that in the defence arrangements in the Pacific after the war, New Zealand and Australia might be assigned areas of protection which would include territories other than British, because of a necessity for the maintenance of strong bases in forward positions. It is admitted, however, that this subject is one for consideration not only between Australia and New Zealand, but by the two Dominions together with the United Kingdom and finally by an international conference. A strong view is believed to be held that, in such post-war territorial , arrangements there should be comprehensive planned settlement instead of a disposal of territory to one nation or another by a combination of leading Allied Powers. Full representation on any armistice commission is likely to be sought for Australia and New Zealand, since it is firmly held that there should be full consultation with’ these Southern Pacific United ' Nations in questions involving general security.

INTER-DOMINION PACT

(N.Z.I’.A. Special Australian Correspondent.) CANBERRA. January <lB.

Important described officially as “A New Inter-Dominion Pact,” have already been reached by the conference of Australian and New Zealand Ministers now in session here. As the preliminary to cooperation between.the two Dominions it has been unanimously agreed that provision should be made for a fuller exchange of information on both the views of the respective Governments and also of facts in the possession of either Government which might beaton matters of common interest. A mutual assurance has been given that, as far as psosible, each Government shall be aware of the mind of fhe other before giving expression to its views elsewhere, and shall seek to attain, the maximum degree of unity in the presentation of the views of the two Governments. Continuous means of consultation will be established.

The conference has also agreed that the two Governments should act together in matters of common concern in the South and South-rvest Pacific, such as the control of territories, native welfare, and communications between the two countries. It is understood no decisions have yet been taken on the actual machinery of co-operation to be established between Australia and New Zealand. Australia’s suggestion of a Permanent Joint- Secretariat maybe one means adopted. Another Australian suggestion has been for the creation of joint Standing Committees of the two Governments on matters of permanent common interest. It is also suggested that the High Commissioners of the two countries should be given added facilities.

One suggestion before the conference is that a permanent secretariat be established, operating alternately in Canberra and Wellington, to provide machinery for collaboration between the/ two Do-, minions. This secretariat, it is believed. would, form part of the Empire Consultative Council that is proposed by the Australian Prime' Minister, Mr Curtin. Functions of the secretariat would include the coordination of the post-war economicrequirements of New Zealand and Austrailia, and the maintenance of a liaison between the two Governments on questions of national, policy. The delegates are unanimous that consultations between two Dominions should be and that the opinions of both countries should be reconciled on all subjects before either is disposed to commit itself in the wider international scheme. On domestic problems affecting the two Dominions the documentary submissions before the conference are generally directed towards coordinating the resources of both countries for the remainder of the war.

R EGIONAI, COMMISSION

(X.Z.I.’.A. Special Australian Correspondent 1

(Rec, 10.30 a.m.)

CANBERRA. January .19. Australia and New Zealand will insist upon active participation in the work of any international bodyset up for the preparation of an. armistice or the carrying out of the terms of the armistice. This has been announced by the official spokesman, of the present Ministerial Conference.

Supplementing this statement, the Commonwealth Minister of External Affairs (Dr. Evatt) said that, apart from the representations which will be made in this connection, the Australian and New • Zealand Governments had agreed to establish their own armistice and post-hostilities planning committees in their respective countries. Similar committees were already at work in other countries.

The New Zealand and Australian Governments will take the initiative m establishing an advisory regional organisation in the Southern Pacific,' to be known as the South Seas Regional Commission. This decision’ has been made by the conference. Other nations likely to join the organisation are Britain, the United States and France. The functions of the Commission are expected to be arranging for the material development of the islands and native peoples in the areas, including production, finance, communications, marketing; the co-ordination of health and medical services; arranging for the maintenance of recognised standards ot native welfare in regard to labour conditions, the participation ol the natives in the adminisi tration and social services, education 'and nutrition; arranging for collaboration in research—economic, social, and anthropological. The form j and the purposes, functions and organisation of a "Regional Commission along these lines will be examined by a special committee, and the scheme, will be submitted to the Australian and New Zealand Governments as soon as possible.