Subdued Air At U.N.: Evatt’s “Revivalist” Role

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22916, 7 April 1949, Page 5

Subdued Air At U.N.: Evatt’s “Revivalist” Role

(10 a.m.) NEW YORK, April 6. The opening of the United Nations Assembly yesterday was much more subdued than on previous occasions and the delegates obviously felt it was overshadowed by the signing of the Atlantic Pact In Washington yestorday.

The feeling was that Dr. H. V. Evatt, in his opening speech, appeared in the role of a "revivalist” in an effort to restore the prestige of the United Nations. His emphasis wap on the_ accomplishments of the United Nations rather than on its failure.

The Foreign Ministers who signed the Atlantic Pact paid their respects to the assembly by attending in force, but most of them left the building immediately the short plenary session ended and hurried back to Washington. It is regarded as unlikely that any of them will appear again. All the great Powers are being represented at this session by secondary delegates. Cornerstone of Action

"The United Nations remains the cornerstone of effective international action to maintain peace, security and promote higher standards of welfare throughout the world,” said Dr. Evatt in opening the session of the United Nations General Assembly yesterday. Dr. Evatt said that every representative present was pledged to the view that the United Nations was the supreme international body. It alone could give common impetus and purpose to efforts for peace made throughout the world. World-wide security could be found only in a world-wide organisation.

“We must not allow ourselves to be deflected by faint-hearted or cynical or mischievous persons,” he said. "We must support the United Nations and its ideals. ‘Unfaltering support’ for the United Nations must be our watchword. "By so doing we will give effect to the heartfelt desires of ordinary men and women everywhere who desire peace, justice and decent standards of living especially for their children. Great Power Disagreements

"The Governments of the world must keep faith with their peoples and the peoples of the world will certainly support .leaders who strive to help the United Nations and carry into effect its great objectives—international peace, international justice and international welfare.

Dr. Evatt said that conradeship was built up in the war years which, It was hoped, would serve as the basis of the United Nations and of international cooperation. In the last few years, however, difficulties had arisen and often also suspicion and lack of co-operation. "These difficulties were not caused by the United Nations which serves as a meeting ground for constant efforts, to solve problems through free discussion and on the basis on the principles set out in the charter,” he said. “Nearly all these difficulties have been caused by great Power disagreements outside and independent of the United Nations.” Dr. Evatt declared that the United Nations received wide publicity only when disagreements and “disputations” occurred, he said.

"It is not news when the United Nations agrees but only when it disagrees,” he added.