GLOBAL STRATEGY

Grey River Argus, 26 February 1943, Page 5

GLOBAL STRATEGY

PACIFIC NEEDS

N.Z. AND AUSTRALIA

Putting Their Case to Big Four

SYDNEY, Feb., 25 The coincidence of visits abroad of the New Zealand Minister of Defence (Mr. Jones) and the Australian Minister of Exernal Affairs (Dr. Evatt) suggested to political observers here that the two South Pacific democracies may be taking the opportunity to represent jointly their identical interests to those responsible for global strategy. News of Mr. Jones’ trip, followed' immediately by the announcement that Dr. Evatt would visit Washington and London, has aroused wide interest. Most Australian newspapers reiterate the editorial view that Mr. Curtin himself, as the Commonwealth’s Prime Minister should attend the Councils of Allied Nations, but they acknowledge. Dr. Evatt as the next best choice. The "Sydney Herald” to-day says; Dr. Evatt’s success as diplomatist and advocate last year, and the value of the contacts —they amounted to personal friendships with Mr. Churchill and Mr. Roosevelt—he then established render him admirably fitted to represent Australia abroad. It recalled that all Pacific nations have reason to be grateful for Dr. Evatt’s previous journey abroad, since it resulted both in increased war supplies for th e Southern Pacific theatres, and the establishment of a Pacific War Council, of which the New Zealand. Minister at Washington (Mr. Nash) is spokesman. On this occasion, it is thought that Dr. Evatt’s itinerary may in- > elude a visit to Russia. ' Australia feels the strengthening of her diplomatic ties with the Soviet is aesirable, in view of the tremendous influence Russia is likely to have' in the post-war Pacific affairs. However, political correspondents say that Dr. Evatt’s main aim on the present tour will probably be to renew the overtures made a year ago for maximum consideration for the Southern Pacific. “Though the Ministerial mission to-day, in contrast, with that by Dr. Evatt last year, is no longer a quest for immediate means of survival,” says the “Sydney Morning Herald,” “it is necessary that the needs of this theatre should be constantly before the British and American Governments. The nolding policy against Japan cannot be changed yet, but claims for supplies, particularly of aircraft and ships within the framework of that policy must be pressed periodically, if they are not to go-'by default,” Full implications of the deci-sions-made at the Casablanca conference, and the question of postwar control of strategic islands in the Southern Pacific are also suggested as matters likely to occupy Dr. Evatt’s attention.

Mr. Curtin, announcing Dr. Evatt’s forthcoming departure, said he himself would be happy to go to Britain and the United States at some future time. He hoped that it would be soon.

The “Sydney Morning Herald’s” political correspondent says that most members of Parliament agree that taking into account. Mr. Curtin’s belief in the! need for the Prime Minister to stay in Australia, while the Japanese are threatening the country, Dr. Evatt is obviously the Minister best fitted to represent, the Commonwealth abroad.