N.Z. CAUTION IN FRAMING PEACE TREATY WITH JAPANESE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22868, 11 February 1949, Page 6

N.Z. CAUTION IN FRAMING PEACE TREATY WITH JAPANESE

MR. EDEN ADVISES :~

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, Feb. 11. “If we go on as we are doing in the formation of the Western Union and the arranging of an Atlantic Pact and hold firmly to that course, I think the prospects of peace will steadily improve,” said Mr. Anthony Eden, deputy-Leader of the Opposition in the House of Commons, in an interview.

There was, in his opinion, no country which could be looked upon as a possible enemy which at present was looking for war. So far as the Pacific was concerned, he said he was aware that both New Zealand and Australia were anxious to conclude a peace treaty with Japan, but it was his view that it would be wise to proceed cautiously. “I would not have too much confidence in the Japanese people,” he said. ‘‘They are like the Germans and it is wise to take precautions against a resurgance of militarism. Military Precautions Advised “Treat people kindly, yes, but take every military precaution,” he added. It would be foolish to throw away the lessons of the last few years by adopting any other course, he continued. He could see no objection to New Zealand and Australia looking more to the United Slates than to Britain in seeking security in the Pacific. “I have no worry about the priorities of association in that, and I would have no antagonism to the conclusion of a regional security agreement between the United States, New Zealand and Australia, and Britain could work in with it.”

The more closely together the countries of the Commonwealth could work out their defence problems the better, but he did not mean by that that Britain should put more on New Zealand.

Already a good deal was being done in adoption of similar armaments, specially in the air. In 1940, as Secretary of State for War and later he had seen the difficulties which could arise from a divergence of standards between the United States and Great Britain—difficulties which could have been overcome by earlier co-operation. Transfer of Population

Regarding proposals for the decentralisation of Britain’s industry and population by their transfer to the countries of the Commonwealth, Mr. Eden said he had never been fond of the word “migration.” It was really a family problem. “It should not nowadays be more difficult to move people here from the south of England and from, say, John O’ Groats to Land’s End.” He said the movement of industry was a different matter and almost physically impossible in the present shortage of shipping. People could be moved here first and to other countries of the Commonwealth as and when the opportunity arose.

"They could come as you could conveniently handle them,” he said. "1 should think you could handle a fair number here, but that is a matter for you.”

During his tour round the country, he had made a point of seeing some of the young people who had come out from Home. He had seen some of the men who had come out for four years, he thought, to work in the Royal New Zealand Air Force and also naval men who had joined the Royal New Zealand Navy and they all liked it out here. He felt that it was in the air that New Zealand might make her best contribution since it gave good scope for the special gifts of young New Zealanders. Chinese Reds Link with Soviet Mr. Eden said it was difficult to say how closely the Communists of China were linked with the Soviet. The usual pattern of such things was that the links appeared loose at first but as events developed the bonds showed up to be much tighter. In the case of China it would be unwise to suppose the bonds were anything but tight. It might be that events in China were such that they had to be taken account of in Malaya, indeed, he expected that this would already have been done. The Chinese events were most unfortunate. “I shall find what I have learnt here, very useful. It is often very difficult for us at home to keep in perspective what is happening here,” said Mr. Eden. “I have been helped very much by the eagerness of New Zealanders to talk to me.” He found a great difference between the New Zealand of his first visit and the country today. He had been very impressed by what he had seen in the South Island which he had not visited on the first occasion. He had not visualised the warmth of its agricultural country which reminded him of the countries bordering the Mediterranean. The affection of the people for Home was wonderful and the enthusiasm of Wednesday night’s meeting in Dunedin impressed' him greatly.

The more New Zealand could produce for export to Britain and the more goods Britain could send here in return the better it would be for both countries.

“We are hoping to supply you with an increasing quantity,” he said in enumerating some of the goods which he felt might be suitable. Britain’s new motor cars were very good. Praise for N.Z. Press

Mr. Eden again praised the coverage of news in the newspapers of the Dominion. He had found no difficulty in following world affairs since he had been here and, in comparison with the papers of Britain, they were very good. It would be remembered, however, that Britain’s newspapers were much worse off for newsprint. Asked what was his attitude toward proposals for the abolition of capital punishment in Great Britain, Mr. Eden said: “Had I been there, I think I should have adopted the advice of the Home Secretary and voted against abolition.” Almost in the same breath, he added: “But I must not comment on internal matters.”

Asked whether he thought there might be a change of Government in Great Britain at the coming general election, Mr. Eden was cautious: “I am not a Gallup poll and I’m not capable of running one,” he said. Just before his press conference Mr. Eden had a talk with the Prime Minister. It had been very interesting, he said.

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