U.N.R.R.A. FAILURE

Grey River Argus, 17 February 1945, Page 3

U.N.R.R.A. FAILURE

TO HELP. EUROPE Candid Australian Exposure (Rec. 11.5) SYDNEY, Feb. 16. The striking speech of Hon. Dr. Evatt, Australian Minister of External Affairs, in which he accused U.N.R.R.A. of inaction, was the feature of the opening session 'of the conference of the Far Eastern Committee of the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration, being held at. Lapstone, New South Wales. Dr Evatt’s plain speaking evoked intense interest. The leader of of the Australian, delegation, Dr Evatt declared: “Something of a crisis is emerging in relation to U.N.R.R.A.’s affairs and functions.” He criticised sharply the fact that the elaborate U.N.R.R.A.. organisation had done practically nothing in Europe, and he added that this inactivity had made the world doubt whether U.N.R.R.A. was meant to function.

Dr Evatt defined three main weaknesses in U.N.R.R.A. policy and organisation. These were: Many delays in beginning its work in liberated areas; over-centralisation of the administration; a need for wider national representation, at afi levels on U.N.R.R.A. administration and' staff.

The speech produced a strong reaction among the delegates and officials, who are reported as having been inclined, as first, to resent it. To-day’s opinion, however, is unanimously favourable to Dr Evatt’s view, which is, presumably, that of the Australian Government. The chairman of the conference, Dr Tsiang (China) said Dr Evatt’s call for energetic and efficient action by U.N.R.R.A. in the Far East had his full support, and would earn the gratitude of all Far Eastern people. The acting-Director of U.N.R.R'.A. in the South-west Pacific, Mr Frank Gaines, said Dr Evatt’s remarks were accepted as constructive criticism. Delays had been caused by the war situation in Europe, and by a shortage of shipping, factors over which U.N.R.R.A. had no control. Overcentralisation was being obviated. Opening of Sydney and Chungking offices indicated the administration’s wish to decentralise. The administration’s definite purpose was to make U.N.R.R.A. personnel as representative as possible of member nations. “Nothing could be better for the future health and vigour of U.N.R.R.A. than the frank diagnosis of its present weaknesses given by Dr Evatt,” says the “Sydney Herald,” in a leading article to-day. “If, in fact, the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration is itself in some need of rehabilitation, the sooner faults are recognised and remedied, the sooner will this great humanitarian body be able to get down in earnest to its task of rendering first aid in. a war ravaged world. In laying its plans for the relief of ruffering in Pacific countries, the Far Eastern Committee of the U.N.R.R.A. must try to ensure, as Dr Evatt urged. that the delays that have occur-, red in Europe shall not be repeated here.”