CANBERRA DECISIONS

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 January 1944, Page 5

CANBERRA DECISIONS

MANPOWER AND PRODUCTION NEXT TALK IN N.Z. ■ (N.Z.P.A. Special Australian Correspondent) CANBERRA, Jan. 20. The strained manpower positions of Australia and New Zealand were discussed by Ministers of the two Governments at the meeting of the Commonwealth War Cabinet to-day. It is understood that the talks were largely concerned with the balancing of growing demands for food production in the two Dominions against a need for maintaining the numbers of their armed forces. Australia" and New Zealand are regarded as two of the United Nations having capacities for substantially increasing their contributions of food, and food is becoming a more and more vital need. Manpower shortage has been one important factor in limiting both countries in primary production. It, therefore, is unlikely that there will be any increase in the numbers of either country’s armed forces personnel, and it is probable that there will be a larger diversion of labour to rural work.

Having regard to the machinery which the Conference has already agreed to establish, it was decided when the reviews are completed that the two Governments will submit their further views to joint Dominion machinery. It is believed that the Australian Prime Minister’s reference to “the machinery which the Conference has already agreed to establish” points principally to a permanent joint Aus-tralian-New Zealand secretariat, which will be set -up. Further Ministerial talks between the two Governments are expected to be held before the end of the year. They will follow the Empire Prime Minister’s Conference in London, and will almost certainly take place at Wellington. One of the decisions of the present conference, it is understood, was that such frequent discussions should have alternative venues in the two countries. U.S.A. CRITICISM. It has been stated here that there is no foundation for opinions apparently sponsored by United States isolationists that the Australian-New Zealand talks can be regarded as “an-ti-American.” The discussions are only anti-Axis. American reports that Australia and New Zealand seek territorial expansion and will claim South Pacific Islands, not now included in their territories, are described as “mischievous and untrue.” It is emphasised that the two Dominions aspire jointly to greater collaboration with all friendly nations. Talks with representatives of Britain, United States, and France, which share common interests in this area, it is hoped will be held before the end of the year, after Mr. Curtin and Mr. Fraser return from the Imperial Conference. More than not being anti-Ameri-can, it can be stated authoritatively that New Zealand and Australia would welcome a post-war American-held barrier against Japan in the Central Pacific, comprising mainly of islands now in Japanese hands. Both countries also desire the closest co-opera-tion with Britain in the Pacific. It is felt the defence of the interests ol all four nations is of common concern, and should be subject to the closest

collaboration. At Friday’s historic plenary session of the Anzac Conference, the Prime Ministers of the two countries will sign a formal agreement on the decisions of the conference which are capable of documentation Tlfe Prime Minister (Mr Eraser) and Mrs Fraser, Mr Jones and Mr Webb were the guests of honour at a reception tendered by the GovernorGeneral (Lord GowTie) and Mrs Gowrie, at Canberra this afternoon. Mr Curtin, the members of the Australian War Cabinet, and the War Advisory Council, together _ with

many United Nations’ diplomatic representatives, attended. RETICENciF'CRITICLSED. (N.Z.I’.A. Special Australian Correspondent) (Rec. 10.25) CANBERRA, Jan 20. The first Australian-New Zealand Ministerial conference of the war has

made basic strokes on a huge canvas of inter-Dominion, Empire, regional, and international post-war, co-oper-ation. But because oi the g-re:v. ramifications ol the many issues involved and the consequent, need for careful diplomatic approach to matters touching the interests ,of tec other United Nations, only tne broad

outlines of the purposes and decisions of the conference nave been officially announced. Tenuous official releases indicate clearly that the conference has made purely a preliminary. survey of the vast ground to be covered, and that many interchanges and other gatherings mus; follow before specific questions aie settled. The agreement reached on broad policy is, of course, an all important step towards the settlement i of these questions. Australian political observers unanimously praise | the liberal spirit of compromise and goodwill with which the conference tackled its business, achieving celerity exceeding all official expectation. Such evident give and take cordiality is accepted as a guarantee of success for the new Anzac pact t<> be signed to-day. However, despite the acknowledged need for let.cence in some matters, pleas are being made here for more detailed information on the subjects known to have been discussed. “It would not be enough,” says the “Melbourne Age," editorially, “for | the delegates to agree on lines ol I

action and then go on their ways sat- , isfied with the results, of talks in camera, perhaps reserving to themselves the more concrete and specific knowledge of the understandings. Even though there is need of diplomacy, a historic gathering of this kind should be the forerunner of active public discussion and enlightenment. The objectives presented in nebulous fashion would I not contribute appreciably to well- I informed public opinion in either country. As far'as immediate security and effective prosecution of the war will permit, it is important that both peoples be given all the major facts and considerations | which affect the prospects of the two Dominions as segments of the British Empire and partners with other nations' in seeking to rid the postwar world of predatory aggression. Open discussion is characteristic of democracy and pacts backed by informed public opinion may well prove more efficacious than those incubated in the privacy of interGovernmental conferences. The

subjects discussed are far too large ! tp be the monopoly of delegates to conferences, however able and farseeing. What is needed is proper understanding of their implications by ' the peoples of the two Dominions.” 'While most Australian comment '■ stresses the vital Southern Pacific ' defence aspects of the conference, it 1 is realised that much wider co- ! operation is implied in the agree- ’ meet reached. It is known, too. the conference discussed matters not yet mentioned in official statements. One such matter was the complex problem of post-war immigration. Both the New Zealand and Australian Governments are seized of the vital need of greater populations, and this subject is certain to , loom large at subsequent Anzac conferences. The common ground on which the '' two Governments met was well 3 summarised by Mr. Fraser, when he

said: “The influx of people on low economic levels can create grave problems for countries which have set high living standards.”

LONDON PRESS COMMENT LONDON, January 19. “Agreements have been reached which provide a firm basis for cooperation in policy and action between the two Dominions in future,” says the “Daily Telegraph.” commenting on the Canberra conference. “The essence of the matter is the <!lear realisation on both sides of the need of regular consultation on a planned system and in some directions, —especially that of defence — the organisation of definite measures to which not only Australia and New Zealand, but other Governments directly interested in the preservation of peace in the South Pacific shall be parties. When the conference of Empire Prime Ministers meet in London later this year, Australia and New Zealand will be represented by statesmen who have already thought out and, concerted their policy as regards not only post-war securitv, but economic development, island territories, the welfare of native populations, and air transport.”