Mr. Fraser Applauded

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21923, 18 January 1946, Page 2

Mr. Fraser Applauded

Through the action of its Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, in withdrawing from the voting for the last position on the Economic and Social Council in favour of Yugoslavia, New Zealand has been honoured with plaudits from other delegates and also from many influential persons strongly interested in the affairs of the nations. There can be no doubt whatever that Mr. Fraser’s action was statesmanlike in every sense of the word. Particularly as New Zealand was known to look upon economic and social work as one of its favourite fields of operation, the prompt action taken by its delegate to settle a tightening deadlock constituted an example to other countries which, if followed, should go a long way towards obviating in future discussions the handicap that could be introduced into the deliberations by a too zealous display of nationalism. One of the sins of the old League of Nations—an ingredient in the mixture which we do not want as before—was the concentration by some Geneva delegates on the interests of their own countries. The fact that others, again, tried hard to be truly international did little good, because two factions, the nationalists and the internationalists, sprang into being and not only hampered the practical work of the League but also created the wrong atmosphere for amity among the Powers. Mr. Fraser’s action, coming so early in the conference, should contribute something to the dissipation of the harmful emphasis on nationalistic aims. No tribute to the New Zealand Prime Minister could have been more acceptable or more in keeping with the ideals of the organisation than that which came from the Yugoslavian representative, M. Kosanovie, who said: “The withdrawal gives a contribution to the good reputation of New Zealand, but much more important is the manifestation of harmony in this Parliament of nations and the manifestation of solidarity. Every sign of solidarity is a contribution to future peace; every sign of disintegration is a help to the forces of evil.”