FACE THE FACTS: NATIONAL POLICY ON WESTERN PACT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22923, 16 April 1949, Page 8

FACE THE FACTS: NATIONAL POLICY ON WESTERN PACT

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, April 14. “In departing from the Prime Ministers' Conference in London, Mr. Fraser will carry the good wishes of New Zealanders 6f all parties,” said the' acting-Leader of the Opposition, Mr. K. J. Ilolyoake, last night. “The conference _is of the utmost importance, and it is proper that New Zealand should be represented. I should like to urge, however, that on his return the Prime Minister should as far as he can take the people of New Zealand into his confidence. This is the second such conference in a period of six months, and the public are entitled to fuller information than they have yet had with respect to matters which may vitally affect them. The people of New Zealand have sufficient character and courage to face up to the facts, however unpleasant or harsh. “It is undertsood that one of the principal subjects at the forthcoming conference will be the Atlantic Pact. I can speak for the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. S. G. Holland, and our Parliamentary colleagues in saying that we support New Zealand’s participation in the pact. “The conference will, it is reported, also discuss the Communist menace and special consideration may perhaps be given to Communist infiltration in Asiatic countries. Here we can endorse any steps to halt the Communist tactics of penetration and intrigue, while regretting that Communist elements have received undue encouragement in some quarters in Australia and New Zealand.

“Another question to be discussed is the future constitution of the British Empire. It is to be hoped that the conference will spare no effort to strengthen the ties which unite loyal members of the Empire community, for it is on the British Empire and the Western democracies that the peace of the world more than ever depends.”