FUTURE OF PACIFIC

Grey River Argus, 22 December 1943, Page 5

FUTURE OF PACIFIC

N.Z. AND AUSTRALIA

Have Big Responsibility

SAYS AUSTRALIAN HIGH COMMISSIONER. ,

P.A. WELLINGTON. Dec. 21. The right of Australia and New Zealand to be heard in the counsels of the British Commonwealth and of the United Nations was emphasised by the High Commissioner for Australia, Hon. T, G. d’Alton, at a State luncheon, which was tendered to him to-day. The Prime Minister, who was making his first public appearance since his illness, presided. Mr d’Alton said that It was his pleasant duty to convey to the Prime Minister, as the leader of the New Zealand people, the very cordial greetings and good wishes of Mr Curtin. Dr. Evatt, the Australian Minister for External Affairs, would like to be associated with that expression of friendly regard. “Australia has an earnest desire Io be heard in the consultations of the United Nations, more particularly in matters which affect our security in the Pacific and our future status in that huge area,” said Mr d’Alton. “We believe we are in a position to advance considered views upon those vital questions, and I have no doubt that, before very long, Australia and New Zealand will be able to arrive at unanimous conclusions on matters of vital importance. I suggest that an understanding and co-operation between us—and this must be regarded as practically an accomplished fact — will have advantages to our own people, to the Empire, and, indeed, to all of those Allied countries which are anxious to keep in step with the British Commonwealth of Nations. “We in Australia, and you in New Zealand, fully realise the importance of decisions which are now being taken, and will be taken, to share the post-war world. These decisions affect all of us, and may affect our ways of life for generations to come. Our countries have played their full part in this war. They have shouldered their burdens eagerly. They did not falter in our darkest hours. We claim it as a right therefore—as no mere privilege—to be heard in the counsels of the British Commonwealth and of the United Nations. fe.“How, then, can we make sure t®at the oost-war world should not without proper and due consideration of our views? And what, principles should guide us in shaping our views? An answer _ to these questions was recently given bv Mr Curtin in Australia. Mr Cur-

tin suggested that Wg should build on the experience gained by what he called two great experiments in cooperation between sovereign states, namely, the British Commonwealth of Nations, and the League of Na-

tions. To strengthen the British Commonwealth, which he described as a notable demonstration of the working of international democracy, Mr Curtin suggested machinery for ensuring closer and more continuous co-operation between the member states.

“On the major Pow'ers will be the task of preserving peace until an effective collective system is established.” Mr d’Alton said, "but on Australia and on New Zealand will rest a great deal of th P responsibility for the neace and security of region in which we are geographically situated. Our primary duties and responsibilities are in the Pacific. In this area we have fought, and we hav e worked: in this area we must live. We must jointlv shoulder a very great share of the responsibility for the future of the Pacific region.