AUSTRALIA’S FUTURE

Grey River Argus, 16 December 1943, Page 5

AUSTRALIA’S FUTURE

NEW FOREIGN POLICY Co-operation with Other Nations (Rec. 8.30.) SYDNEY, Dec. 15. ' The Prime Minister, Mr. John Curtin, in his address to the momentous triennial conference of the Federal, Australian. Labour Party, referred to the need of Australian policy in external “affairs to the new world situation. There certainly should be greater consultation among the Governments of the British Commonwealth. Localised, but not fixed permanently in London, there should be a consultative body. Meetings might be neld at any of the capitals of the British Commonwealth. The various Governments should be informed before action was taken as to all proposals of foreign policy. Australian policy must now be adapted for Empire co-operation. Such co-op-eration was limited bv Australia’s present policy, ana it was a matter for thi s Convention. They must be prepared for their future enlarged responsibilities. < Commenting to-day editorially on his address, the Sydney “Morning Herald”, says: “Mr. Curtin’s thinking on Australia’s external relationships has advanced rapidly during the critical years of his national leadership. There is not a trace left in it of the old isolationism which, for so long, coloured the attitude of the Australian Labour Party, to imperial and foreign affairs.” Mi-. Curtin’s speech is generally construed asi an appeal to his Party to abandon its traditional isolationist policy, and to co-operate with other countries, particularly the Pacific nations, to preserve peace and prosperity. In effect, he appealed to tha Party conference to authorise the Labour Government to reach whatever agreement and understanding with other nations that it might deem to be necessary, for Australia’s well being. The Sydney “Herald” says that, from his post of tremendous responsibility, in the darkest day s ot his country’s existence, Mr. Curtin has seen, with piercing clarity, that Australia can hope to survive as a small white nation on the fringes of a teeming Asia only by close co-operation with the other member’s of the .British Empire, and with like-minded powers associated with them in the organisation of security and peace. Mr. Curtin’s proposals for closer co-operation of Britain and the Dom-; inions, the “Herald” describes as “both practical and concrete, and marking, especially as emanating from a Labour Prime Minister, a valuable step forward in Empire evolution.” An important hint on Mr. Curtin s views on Australian Labour Party policy was contained in his statement; “Australia’s capacity to govern involves its ability to adapt itself to new problems and to meet new conditions. What was good enough twenty years ago may not be good.' enough how.” Mr. Curtin stressed that, ultimately. the best machinery for international co-operation was bv an evolution similar to that which developed, a co-operative spirit within the British Commonwealth of Nations. The nucelus of that machinery, he said, would have to be the great Powers of Great Britain, America, Russia and China, in association with? all the other peace-loving nations. The “Big Four” would have a monopoly of armed strength, to be used, in trust for all mankind, until an effective collective system could be establishTurning to the Pacific, Mr. Curtin emphasised that, if Britain, Canada. Australia and New Zealand were to develop an understanding on. their mutual interests in the Pacific, it was logical that they should collaborate in a regional organisation with other nations holding parallel Pacific interests. Regional arrangements were an essential component of any world organisation. The war had involved each of the United Nations in mutuality, and there was no alternative to mutuality in peace. CURTIN’S MOTION CARRIED. (Rec. 12.5.) CANBERRA, Dec. 15. The Federal Conference of the Australian Labour Party to-day unanimously carried a . resolution moved by Mr. John Curtin, backing up a policy of participation by Australia in the further development of co-operation among the members of the British Commonwealth, the nations of the world at large, and the Pacific nations in particular. LARGE POST-WAR FORCES. AUSTRALIA’S OBLIGATION. . (Rec 11.0.) CANBERRA, Dec. 15- . That Australia must maintain large armed, forces after the war was emphasised by both Lord_Gowrie and Hon. F. M. Forde (Minister for the Army) at a graduation ceremony at the Royal Military College at Duntroon. 5 Mr. Forde forecast a considerable post-war expansion of the work of the college, which is attended bv New Zealand as well as Australian military students. Lord Gowrie told the graduating officers not to be discouraged by disparaging and facetious remarks about the mentality of the regular officer They were not all “colonel Blimps.” it was the regular officers whom he called upon to get us out of the current war difficulties.