Bevin Reviews World Problems For Ministers

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 October 1948, Page 5

Bevin Reviews World Problems For Ministers

(Recd. 11.25 a.m.) LONDON, October 12

The Dominion Prime Minister, in two sessions today, discussed the international situation, with special reference to the problems of the Middle | East and the Far East according to a' communique issued from No. 101 Downing Street. . I The British Prime Minister (Mr C. r. Attlee) presided, and the Foreign. I Minister (Mr Ernest Bevin) opened, the discussion with a comprehensive review of these problems. The Com-. missioner General for the . United I Kingdom in South East Asia, Mi , Malcolm MacDonald, reported on the situation in Malaya. Representatives: of all the Commonwealth countries took part in a long, frank exchange, of views. . x . i The discussion on international affairs will be continued at a later, session. Mr H. Bevin also addressed the conference on the Berlin situation and the relations between the Western Powers and Germany. He gave a comprehensive survey of the Berlin events leading to the reference of the dispute between the Western Powers and the Soviet to the Security Council. The Australian Associated Press says Mr Bevin’s review took more than an hour and the discussions which followed, included relations with Turkey, Arabia, Persia and India, as well as Japan. It was emphasised that there had been no disagreement on the policy towards Japan. The Prime Ministers discussed a more constructive approach in dealing with the Communist threat ih Malaya, rather than a repressive one, including encouragement of trade unions, national independence and improved conditions. Defence matters 'were excluded from the talks. The Prime Ministers tomorrow will resume the economic debate.