DOMINION MINISTERS

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 April 1946, Page 7

DOMINION MINISTERS

BEVIN AND ATTLEE ATTEND j LONDON MEETING PEACE TREATY DISCUSSIONS LONDON, April 23. ! Instead of having a preliminary, informal meeting as at first intended, the British, New Zealand, and Aus- j tralian Ministers this morning got straight down to business, because the Foreign Secretary, Mr Bevin, l wished to have a talk on international affairs before he goes to Paris on Thursday Cor the Foreign Ministers conference. . Mr Attlee presided. Mr Bevin and the Dominions Secretary (Lord Addison) attended, in addition to Mr Nash (New Zealand) and Mr Chifley | and Dr. Evatt (Australia). I Russia’s Claim [ The Press Association’s diplomatic | correspondent says that Mr Bevin is anxious to consult the Dominions . representatives who, because of then . great share in the enemy’s defeat in Europe and their particular interests in the Mediterranean, have a special ■. interest in the drafting of the Italian and other peace treaties. It is ex- I pected that the Ministers will review Russia’s claim to the sole trusteeship of Tripolitania. . , x X 1 * Mr Chifley said last night that the main subject for discussion would be the Pacific, although other matters might arise. Mr Chifley is ciuoted as'saying that Australia, New Zealand, the United States,, and the British Empire would have to get together and discuss bases in the Pacific, as the future of all was bound up in that question. Mr Chifley did not refer to specific bases, saying that this would be considered along; with the joint use and management I of bases in Australian mandated territory and elsewhere. Australian Viewpoint Dr. Evatt, Australia’s Minister ol External Affairs, has already said that New Guinea and islands north of Australia are part and parcel of i the defence of that continent. He said that the whole question of bases in the South-west Pacific involved New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States as well as Australia, and he hoped that an over-all plan of defence would be evolved. , . . , Questioned about aumin istra t ion in Japan, Mr Chifley said that he hoped ,to learn more about that when he visited Japan. He will leave lor Japan on May 6. The South African Prime Ministei (General Smuts) left Pretoria last night by air for London. The Canadian Prime Minister (Mr W. L. Mackenzie King) is expected during the third and last week of the talks.