MR FRASER SAYS SERIOUS ISSUES FACING EMPIRE

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 October 1948, Page 7

MR FRASER SAYS SERIOUS ISSUES FACING EMPIRE

LONDON, October 10

The Prime. Minister of New Zealand (Mr Fraser), who has arrived in London for. the Commonwealth Conference, today visited Chequers, where he lunched with Mr Attlee. He discussed with Mr Attlee and the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations (Mr Philip Noel-Baker) various questions which will arise during the conference.

“There are considerable difficulties to be faced,” said Mr Fraser in an interview afterwards with the New Zealand Press Association, “but I am sure they will be. adjusted satisfac.tor(ly.. I am confident that any impediments which the. new Dominions of. India and Pakistan may feel stand in the way of their close unity with other; countries of the Commonwealth will be removed, and that a lastirig basis for co-operation will be agreed upon.

Future of Eire

“Some serious problems will arise as a, result of the announcement by the' Prime Minister of Eire (Mr John Costello), that Southern Ireland proposes to introduce legislation altering its constitutional position in relation to the British Commonwealth. If Ireland decides to adopt the status of a foreign, country , then it may voluntarily abandon many valuable rights' and privileges which it now possesses, | It;is to be hoped that the full implications .of such a step will, be studied in Ireland before any irrevocable move is taken. I feel sure that all the countries of the British Commopwealth are anxious that Ireland should remain in the closest possible relationship with them. . “I also hope that the difficulties between India and Pakistan over Kashmir will be adjusted without recourse to military action.”

Lunch at Palace

Mr Fraser had been invited to. lunch informally with the King and Queen, at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday, when details of the Royal tour will be discussed. In addition to business directly connected with the Commonwealth Conference, Mr Fraser,will also have discussions- with the British service Ministers about defence problems and:will raise matters -of New Zealand interest with other British Government departments and their Min- ■ Among .some ; of the ■ matters he hopes to deal with during-his stay in London are: the .future status of the New .Zealand Legation • in. Moscow and -the progress. of the negotiations to buy new premises for the offices: of the New Zealand High Commissioner in London. Oh his way to London, Mr Fraser met the Commissioner-General for South-east Asia (Mr Malcolm MacDonald) in. Singapore, and discussed with him the situation in that country and South-east Asia. Mr Fraser has not yet decided how long he will spend in Paris at the United Nations Assembly after -the •end of. the Commonwealth Conference, but he will return to New Zealand by way of the United States and Canada. He hopes to meet the political leaders of the two countries.