PARTIES COME CLOSER

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21997, 15 April 1946, Page 3

PARTIES COME CLOSER

CHANGED MOOD OVER INDONESIA SEARCH FOR A REAL SOLUTION AUSTRALIAN SHIPPING DELAYS DEPLORED (10.30 a.m.) LONDON, April 14. The Lieutenant-Governor in Java, Dr. Van Mook, in an interview following- the British-Dutch conference, said the freeing of goods for Indonesia held up on the Australian wharves was vital for the rehabilitation of Indonesia, Indonesia’s economic situation was rather threatening because of a breakdown of transport, lack of food in some places because of a breakdown of transport, lack that large quantities of material and vehicles held up in Australia by the waterfront strike would be released. Dr. Van Mook said the parties had decided not to disclose the result of the talks at present, but he could say that the parties had come much closer by considering facts and not theories. “The general mood has changed,” he said, “and we believe we can hope to avoid any deep-rooted schisms obstructing a solution such as exist in some other countries. ‘‘ If all goes well, the next moves will bo: First, the cessation of hostilities; secondly, preparation for a conference in Indonesia or Holland; thirdly, the beginning of economic rehabilitation. ’ ’ The general idea underlying the talks was that the Dutch and Indonesians would be equal partners in Indonesian affairs as a whole. Dr. Van Mook added that of the 325,000 Japanese in Indonesia 35,000 were still outside Allied control. Some Allied prisoners of war were still not liberated. The Japanese must be reshipped to Japan as rapidly as possible. That was one of the major problems.