CANBERRA PACT

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 January 1944, Page 5

CANBERRA PACT

TEXT OF AGREEMENT

WIDE CO-OPERATION SCHEME

PRIME MINISTERS’ COMMENTS

WELLINGTON, January 21. The Acting-Prime Minister (Mr. Sullivan) released this evening a summary of the principal points in the clauses of agreement made at Canberra between representatives oi the Commonwealth and New Zealand Governments. Mr. Sullivan said that messages he had received from Mr. Fraser during the week had all indicated that from the beginning there had existed a com-* mon outlook on the part oi the representatives of the two countries. “The agreement covers a wide range of most important subjects, all of which are vital to the future of our two Dominions,” Mr. Sullivan said. “It is broad in concept and in harmony with the spirit of the Atlantic Charter. That it was possible to conclude it in so short a time is evidence of the unity oi outlook of the representatives of both Governments. It is indeed a happy augury for the people of our two countries. The summary of the agreement reads:—

Definition and Objectives of Col-

laboration — „ (1) The provision lor a fuller exchange of information and views on matters of common interest. (2) A mutual assurance that .each will be acquainted of the mind of the other before ' views are expressed elsewhere. (3) The maximum degree of unity in the presentation of the views of the two countries. (4J The expeditious and continuous means of consultation.

(5) The Governments to act together in matters of common concern in the' South-west and South Pacific.

(6) Compatible with separate military commands, the Governments agree to co-ordinate their efforts of prosecution of" the war to a successful conclusion.

Armistice and Subsequent Arrangements—

(7) The Governments have vital Interests in all armistice preparations ending hostilities or any part thereof, and. also in the subsequent arrangements, and claim representation at the highest level on all planning and executive bodies. j (8) The final peace settlement to be made after hostilities with all enemies are concluded. (9) Subject to the above, the Governments 'will see agreement with each other on any armistice terms. (10) The two Governments should actively participate in any armistice commission. (11) Each Government is to set up armistice and post-hostilities planning committees. (12) The Governments are to collaborate generally regarding the location of machinery set up under international organisations (for example, UNRRA). 4 (13) The Governments agree that ■within the framework of the general system of world security, a regional zone of defence, comprising the South-west and South Pacific areas, shall be established, based on Australia and New Zealand. and stretching through the arc of islands north and north-east of Australia to Western Samoa and the Cook' Is(14) The Governments consider it of cardinal importance to be associated in planning the establishment and later stages of the general international organisation referred to in the Moscow Declaration of October, 1943. (15) Pending the re-establishment of law and order and the inauguration of a system of general security, the two Governments declare vital interest in the action contemplated in Article 5 of the Muscoy/ Declaration, and both consider u proper to assume full responsibility for policing or sharing in the policing of the areas in the South-west and and South Pacific. (16) The Governments accept as a recognised principal of international practice that the construction and use by any Power in time of war of naval, military, or air installtaions in any territory under the sovereignty of another Power, does not afford any basis for territorial or sovereignty rights after the conclusion ol hostilities. Civil Aviation—(l7) The regulation of all air transport services sl/ould be subject to the terms of the convention to supersede the International Convention on Aerial Navigation. * (18) The Governments declare that services using international air trunk routes should be operated by an international airtransport authority. . . , (19) The following principles arc supported: (a) full control of ownership of all aircraft and ancillary equipment thereon by an international transport authority, and (b) international air trunk routes to be specified in international agreement. (20) The Governments agree that an international agreement should be concluded providing for the creation of an international air transport authority. (21) Within the framework oi any such agreement, the Governments support (a) the right of each country to conduct all services within its own national jurisdiction, including its own contiguous territories, subject only to international requirements regarding safety, facilities, landing, and transit rights for .international services and exchanging of mails; (b) the right of Australia and New Zealand to utilise to the fullest extent productive capacity m respect of aircraft and materials: (c) the right of Australia and New Zealand to use a fair proportion of their own personnel, agencies, and materials in operating and maintaining international air trunk, routes. (22) In the event of failure to obtain a satisfactory international agreement for the establishment and use of international air trunk routes, the Governments will support a system of air trunk routes controlled

and operated by the Governments of the British Commonwealth under Government ownership. (23) The Governments will act jointly in support of the abovementioned principle with respect to civil aviation, and will inform each other of their existing interests and commitments.

Dependencies and Territories-— (24) The Governments will regularly exchange information and views about developments in or affecting the islands of the Pacific. (25) The Governments note tnc intention of the Australian Government to resume the administration (as soon as possible) of territories not yet reoccupied. (26) The Governments declare that the interim administration and ultimate disposal of enemy territories in the Pacific is of vital importance to Australia and New Zealand, and they will not consent to or recognise the disposal of those territories except with their agreement and as part of a general Pacific settlement and that any such disposal should be effected only with their agreement as part of a general Pacific settlement. (27) The two Governments declare that no change in sovereignty or the system of control of any Pacific islands should be made except by agreement to which they are parties or in the terms of which they have both concurred. Welfare and Advancement of Native

Peoples— , , , (28) The Governments declare that in applying the Atlantic Charter to the’ Pacific, the doctrine of “trusteeship" is applicable in broad principle to all colonial territories, and that the main purpose of trust is the welfare of the native peoples and their social, economic, and political development. (29) The Governments agree that the future of the territories of the Pacific and the welfare of their inhabitants cannot be successfully promoted without a greater measure of collaboration by the authorities concerned in their control. . (30) The Governments agree to promote the establishment, as soon as possible, of a regional organisation with advisory powers called the “South Seas Regional Commission,’ on which, in addition to Australian and New’ Zealand representatives, there might be representatives of the Governments of the United Kingdom, the United States, and the French. (31) The Governments agree that it shall be the function of such a commission to secure a common policy on social, economic, and political developments directed towards the advancement and. well-being of the native peoples, and that, in particular, the commission shall recommend arrangements for (a) the participation of the natives in administration, with a view to promoting the ultimate attainment of self-gov-ernment in the form most suitable to the circumstances of the native peoples concerned; (b) material del velopment. including production? finance, communications, and marketing; (c) co-ordination of health and medical services and education; (d) maintenance of recognised standards of native welfare in regard to labour conditions, social, services, and nutrition: (e) arranging for collaboration in economic, social, medical and anthropological _ research; (f) making and publishing periodical reviews of progress towards the development of self-gov-erning institutions in the Pacific islands, and in the improvement of the standards of living conditions of •workmen in education, health, and general welfare.

M iqi’ation—(32) In peace settlement or other negotiations, the Governments will accord each other full support in maintaining the accepted principle that every Government has a right to control immigration and emigration in territories within its jurisdiction.

(33) The Governments will collaborate in the exchange of full information and render all assistance to each other in all matters j concerning migration to their territories.

International Conference Relating to the South-west and South Pacific—

(34) The Governments agree on The frank exchange oi views as soon as possible on the problems of security. post-war developments, and native welfare between properly accredited representatives of the other Governments with existing territorial interests in the South-west or South Pacific area, namely, the United States, the Netherlands, French, Portuguese, and Australian Governments, and will take the necessary steps to call a conference. Permanent Machinery for Collaboration between Australia and New Zealand—(3s) The Governments are agreed upon (a) co-operation in defence matters to be attained through continued consultation on defence matters, organisation, equipment, training, and .the exercise of ’ armed forces under common doctrine, the joint, planning and interchange of staff, co-ordination of policy for the production of munitions, aircraft, and supply items, and for shipping, to secure the greatest possible degree of mutual aid consistent with j llio maintenance of a policy of selfI sufficiency in local production; (b) collaboration in external policy on matters affecting the peace, welfare, and good government of the Pacific, to be secured through the exchange of information and frequent. Ministerial consultations; (c) development of commerce between Australia and New Zealand, their industrial development to be secured by consultation, and, in agreed cases, by joint planning; (d) co- | operation in achieving full employ- | ment in Australia and New Zealand I and their territories, and the highest standards of social security; (e) co-operation in encouraging missionary work and other activities

directed towards the improvement of the welfare of native P eo ß le^ n (36) The Governments declaim their desire to have the adherence o any country Raving or controlling territories in the Pacific ' jectives set out in Clause 35. rhe Governments agree that the method to be used for carrying out Clause 35 and other provisions shall be dj consultation and exchange of mtoi mation, and, where applicable, Ite joint planning, such methods io include (a) conferences of Ministers to be held alternatively in Canberra and Wellington, it being the aim oi. the two Governments to hold these at least twice a year; (b) conferences of departmental officers and technical experts; (c) meetings oi standing inter-governmental committees on such subjects as are agreed to by the two Governments; (d) the fullest use of the status ana functions of high (e) the regular exchange of information; (f) exchange of officers; (g) the development of institutions in either country serving the common purposes of both. (38) To secure continued collaboration and to give effect to the decisions of the agreement, a permanent secretariat is to be established. (39) The Secretariat is to be known as the Australia and New Zealand Affairs Secretariat, to be sot up in each country, each under the control of the Ministry of External Affairs.

(40) The functions of the Secretaria will be (a) to take the initiative in ensuring that effect is given to the provisions of the agreement; (b) to arrange, as occasion arises, for the holding of conferences or meetings; (c) to carry out the directions of conferences regarding further consultation, exchange of information, or examination of particular questions; (d) collaborate between the two Governments; (e) to raise for joint discussion and action on such’ other matters as may seem to require attention by the two Governments; (f) generally to provide for more frequent and regular exchange of information and , views, these exchanges to take place normally through the respective High Commissioners. (41) Each Government will nominate an officer or officers from the High Commissioner’s staff to act in the closest collaboration with the Secretariat, where they will be accorded full access to all relevant sources of information.

(42) In each country the Minister of External Affairs and the resident High Commissioner shall have the joint responsibility for the effective functioning of the Secretariat. Ratification —

(43) The agreement is to be subject to ratification by the respective Governments and to come into force on the date of ratification.

SIGNATURE CEREMONY

(X.Z.T’.A. Special Australian Correspondent)

SYDNEY, January 21

The Australia-New Zealand pact was signed to-day in the Chamber of the Commonwealth House of Representatives. All the Ministers ol' the two Governments who attended the historic Anzac conference witnessed the agreement. The text of the pact will be made public simultaneously in Australia, and Now Zealand. It can be stated authoritatively that the pact covers only the broad agreements already indicated by official releases from the conference. There are no secret clauses. A colourful ceremony marked the signing of the agreement. The proceedings were recorded and newsreel cameramen were present. The Prime Ministers of Australia and New Zealand each stressed the spirit of inter-Dominion, Empire, regional, and international co-operation underlying the agreement. “We have not in any way impaired the sovereignty of our respective peoples by this agreement we have made,” said Mr. Curtin. “In fact we have proved that, as peoples whose control of their own affairs is absolute, we have been able io Incorporate into this agreement a spirit, of mutuality which, we believe, will be so deep and so lasting that this conference will, become a mailer of deep historic significance in the affairs not only of ’ the. two Dominions, but also in their relationships to the British Empire as a. whole, and to the world at large.” Mr. Fraser said: “This agreement does not in any way impinge upon the full sovereignty of both countries. We have shown that our two countries can reach agreement without cutting across the harmony ol the British Empire and of our international relationships. There has never been any thought of scoring points. Nothing in. this agreement is aimed at any other nation, whether inside the British Commonwealth or outside British sovereignty.’’ Mr. Fraser said not lung" had been further from the conference’s thoughts than self-aggrandisement.

MR. FRASER’S ESTIMATE

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

(Rec. 10.55) CANBERRA, Jan. 22. “Within the framework of the general system of world security, it is proposed to establish a regional zone of defence, based on Australia and New Zealand and stretching from the arch of islands north and north-west of Australia, eastwards to Western Samoa and Cook Islands, which are both under New Zealand’s jurisdiction.”

This statement has been made by Mr. Fraser, defining the outpost line of the Aussie-New Zealand post-war security. Commenting on the published ' “Australia-New Zealand Agreement, 1944,” Mr. Fraser declared the pact marked an important step in political development of both Dominions. The Conference had been distinguished by the greatest friendliness and identity of views. From the outset it was apparent that 75 per cent, of unanimity existed, and on the other 25 per cent, matters calling for discussion were largely those of detail. These points of difference were quickly adjusted in a spirit of understanding and accommodation. I he understandings arrived at were directed particularly towards the enhancement of the welfare of the Australian and New Zealand peoples, and those of the Pacific Island territories. “It is an agreement which has special value in the sense that it Is directed against no other people,” said Mr. Fraser. “On the contrary, other Powers are invited to adhere to the principles enunciated. Our agreement containsjno secret clauses. Neither is this agreement in any sense a departure from the principles ol the British Commonwealth of Nations, the membership of which is in the very forefront of the Australian-New Zealand Fraser stressed the force of the joint Government views on post-war civil aviation, as outlined in the pact. Great importance was attached by Australia and New Zealand , to ques - tions relating to dependencies and to the welfare and advancement of the native peoples. The two Governments had also made their attitude clear concerning any changes in control or sovereignty of the Pacific Islands. The agreement embodied their firm belief in the principle of trusteeship. In this their views were in closest harmony -with the policy and practice of the United Kingdom Government with whom they would continue to act in the utmost co-opera-tion in the administration of Pacific Island territories. In the past, ’ the multiplicity of Government, systems had complicated the problems of the Pacific, but. those of native welfare so far transcended national boundaries as to call for international co-op-

eration in their solution. Australia and New Zealand were agreed that the responsibility for The administration of their island territories should remain with existing sovereign Powers, but emphasis was laid on the desirability of international co-opera-tion for the' two-fold purpose of widening and liberalising the administration in the interests of native peoples, who were as entitled to higher standards of life as peoples of more ad-' vanced nations. The machinery set up for consultation, exchange of information, and joint planning by Australia, and New Zealand, Mr. Fraser was confident, would function and develop in the same atmosphere of goodwill as characterised the Conference deliberations. In this spirit, Australia and New Zealand would be enabled to play a full part in improving the lots of their own peoples and in preserving the future peace of the world.