ACHESON ADVISES MAXIMUM AID TO SOUTH-EAST ASIA

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23218, 1 April 1950, Page 5

ACHESON ADVISES MAXIMUM AID TO SOUTH-EAST ASIA

(N.Z.P.A. —Reuter—Copyright.) (10 a.m.) WASHINGTON, March 31. The people of the world’s backward areas were not concerned with the abstract idea of democracy and communism, the Secretary of State, Mr. Dean Acheson, told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee yesterday. “They are interested in practical solutions to their problems in terms of food, shelter and a decent livelihood,” he said “The Communists, when they offer quick and easy remedies for all ills, make a strong appeal to these neonle.”

Mr. Acheson said that any cut in the 45.000.000 dollars asked for President Truman’s “point 4” programme would retard efforts to check communism in Asia. “Anv cuts in the funds would be interpreted by the peoples of the free countries of Asia, Middle- East and other under-developed areas as indicating lack of interest in the programme upon which they have been putting very great hopes.” The proposed appropriation was a verv careful estimate of what was needed for the 12 months beginning on July 1. The Administration has said that a major share of the “point 4” programme funds in the first year will go to the South-East Asian countries resisting communism.

Approval of funds for the programme, Mr. Acheson said, would authorise the sending of technical, health, scientific, industrial and public administration missions to the world’s backward areas.

Mr. Achcson said, the programme was a long-term one in some fields. The results would not show for five or 10 years, or even longer. He promised that new markets and sources of raw materials would be opened up to the United States through the programme. Europe would also benefit in a similar wav. The volume of world trade would inevitably expand. “What we need to do in most cases is to try to help the peoples of the under-developed countries to satisfy their growing desire to learn to do things for themselves which will lighten their burden of poverty,” he said.

The United States was seeking treaties to protect American investors in the "Point 4” areas. The United States Government proposed to insure investors against expropriation, confiscation and foreign currency risks.