SMALL POWERS’ RIGHTS

Grey River Argus, 21 March 1945, Page 5

SMALL POWERS’ RIGHTS

World Security

LOS ANGELES, March 19. Hon. Dr. Evatt (Australian Minister of External Affairs), in an address at California University said: A security organisation cannot succeed unless all the members are constitutionally given the right to play their part, and to make an effective contribution. No sovereign state, however small, would be willing to, hand over its destiny to any other power, however great. The smaller powers must be given the opportunity! and the right of participation. The| so-called small Powers may have an important, and even a decisive influence in certain regions in special circumstances. It is necessary, therefore, that the powers other than the great ones should be included on the various executive Councils and that these Councils should be so selected as to ensure a fairly balanced outlook on world affairs. Every distinct region of the globe should be considered, and no important group of nations should remain unrepresented thereon.

Dr. Evatt said he considered that a most valuable task could be accomplished if the San Francisco Conference clarified and tightened up the rather vague and indefinite terms of Chapter Nine of the Dumberton Oaks Conference draft, which deals with economic social co-operation. He said, “Australia and New Zealand have consistently put forward the view that the world organisations’ economicsocial charter should embody the fundamental principles of the Atlantic Charter, and the 1944 Philadelphia Declaration of th e International Labour Office. There is everything to be said for relating Mr. Roosevelt’s and Mr. Churchill’s advocacy for the fullest collaboration between the nations in the economic field with the object of securing improved labour standards, economic advancement, and social security. Our view has been that the reducing of trade barriers will not, in itself, fulfil the hopes of the world, unless each nation’s domestic policy marches towards full employment and increased consumption. “Both the Australian and New Zealand people regard continued co-operation and comradeship, not only with the United Kingdom, but also with the United States, as basic to postwar security and welfare of all Pacific peoples.”