The Grey River Argus THURSDAY, December 16, 1943. AUSTRALIAN LABOUR’S WIDENED OUTLOOK.

Grey River Argus, 16 December 1943, Page 4

The Grey River Argus THURSDAY, December 16, 1943. AUSTRALIAN LABOUR’S WIDENED OUTLOOK.

The adoption by the triennial convention of the Australian Labour Party of Mr. Curtin’s proposals for a new policy in external. relations is a very important development. Hitherto the Labour Movement has in the Commonwealth been largely preoccupied with national, rather than international policy in the practical sense. Internationalism ; Certainly has been nowise absent from the conceptions of the 'Tarty, but in the new phase it takes on not only a more definite but less of a class ’>’character. What is more, the Party sanctions which he has , Just gained for his government Cto co-operate with others, not f’only within, but beyond the Briidish Commonwealth, may be exLipected to be utilised by dlr. . Curtin in a far-reaching and effective manner. It may be recalled that in Australia’s history the initiative of th;e Labour ..Movement has been { stronger than that of any other economic, element in the population. Labour '■'consolidated the protectionist policy, and in the sphere of defence its influence has been always paramount. It is, there-. ; fore, natural that in the trials of

jthis war, and risks of invasion, lhe reaction of the working class Should issue in an enlargement and find in a Labour leader the authentic exponent of that sense of greater responsibility. It may be the expedient of the press, representing other political sentiment, to put the eart before the horse and credit Mr. Curtin with enlightening his Party, but . the truth is that he could not have brought about

this new orientation of Labour policy without the intelligence, of the rank and file being ready for it. Each British Dominion will have to shoulder for the future a greater task in the international field. Britain could not continue her former role of acting for all in the matters most vital, because the Dominions have gained on her relatively and absolutely in influence and importance, so that the Statute of Westminster is more than ever a reality today. Even consultation and common action :as between the components of the British Commonwealth remains no longer adequate to conserve their common interests. The war has demonstrated not only that fact, but also the dependence of the Commonwealth on the co-opera-tion of other nations for its preservation in the modern struggle for economic and cultural survival. Japan has illustrated in our time what other most populous countries might become at some later day. Australia is now heading for a greater responsibility and a new relationship with other nations in the vivid light of a new revelation for this generation. It is that neither progress, prosperity nor peace is inevitable, but only the product of the human will. It no longer will avail Australia, in the words of one of her singers, to nail up the sign from the Leuwin to the Line that “this bit of the world belongs to us.” The ■•power to keep possession must be guaranteed and it is only by co-operation with possessors of such power that Australia can obtain that guarantee. Conversely, she must commit herself to a guarantee of her power in the safeguarding of other peoples. The British Commonwealth has in this war exemplified as no other realm has ever ! done the necessity for an international policy in the interest of peace, progress and prosperity. But it is no mere diplomatic or theoretic i arrangement. It is rather an instinct. And it is also an. instinct which is now ranging the Australian Labour Movement with all of the United Nations in practical commitments for world order and security. Each Dominion must for the future play an adult part in world affairs, and each is fortunate in having had a long and helpful tutelage.