CRUCIAL PHASE

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 April 1946, Page 7

CRUCIAL PHASE

Drafting Treaties for Europe UNITED EMPIRE POLICY ? I • (N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent.)

(Recd. 10,55 a.m.) LONDON, April *23. Whether the Commonwealth will become more closely linked as a single unit in its relations as regards international affairs is a point that will be carefully looked for by the public as the present London discussions proceed. There is a widespread hope that the Commonwealth will do so, particularly in view of the march of events during the past year.

This is a point, made by The Times, which, in a leader this morning, .states that as separate nations five partners in the Commonwealth can, in fact, no longer play any appreciable part as the guardians of world peace, but by planning their strategy in concert, they can, by virtue of their unique geographical advantages, still wield authority not inferior to that of either of the more populous Great Powers with whom they are associated. There is considerable support for this view among a wide section of the British public, but Dominion observers here believe that while Australia and New Zealand subscribe to this viewpoint, Canadd and South Africa still prefer to maintain emphasis in independence of action. Canada, of course, is directly influenced by opinion in the United States, while the political position in South Africa makes it difficult for any closer liaison to be established than at present. Nobody doubts, however, that there will be a wide measure of agreement between the five partners.

“Crucial” is the description applied here to the present phase of international affairs. The background to this comment is the frank acceptance of the fact that Europe is now divided into eastern and western zones and that the principal powers seem to have agreed that they disagree on every majoi’ question relating to the peace settlements with the former satellite countries. Russian obstructionist tactics have blocked the way to any substantial progress so that the Council of Foreign Ministers which begins on April 24, and for a time will run parallel with the Commonwealth discussions, is being regarded somewhat gloomily. It seems reasonably clear, however, that as far as the Commonwealth is concerned there is general agreement on the settlement of European questions and to that extent the meetings in London may have some effect on the meetings in Paris. Both these series of discussions are regarded in London as of the utmost importance. It has been observed that the purpose of the Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Paris is not only to save Europe, but also to save the world.

Whether the atmosphere of dour hostility that pervades the relationships of the Big Powers can be dissolved is a big question mark that will hover over Paris. There is one aspect on which Britain and the Dominions agree wholeheartedly—there shall be no separate peace treaties.