U.N.C.I.0. CONCLUDES

Grey River Argus, 29 June 1945, Page 5

U.N.C.I.0. CONCLUDES

U.S. PRESIDENTS SPEECH Signing of Charter SAN FRANCISCO, June 26 The signing of the Charter oi tne United Nations was taking place almost all day to-day in the auditorium of the Veterans Building, below the rooms where the technical committees spent nine arduous weeks discussing and drafting its every sentence and every word. The first to sign was the Chinese delegate, Dr. Wellington Koo, who brought with him a brand new brush, and in* the blue bound volume of tne Charter painted his name in old Chinese characters. Next to sign, were the delegate's of Russia, the United Kingdom, and France, as tne countries who had taken the greatest part in the fight against Nazism. The other countries signed in alpnabetical order, with the United States as the host State, signing last. The documents were signed on behalf-of New Zealand by the Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser) and his colleague, Mr. C. A. Berendsen (New Zealand Minister to Washington) at 2.40 this afternoon. The next step is a series of meetings in London to decide the structure of the, secretariat, and where the headquarters of the new world organisation will be. These questions will come before the first meeting of the General Assembly. Throughout the ceremonv tnere were speeches pledging support to the new sphere of life and the world organisation. President Truman gave the closing address'

PRESIDENT TRUMANS’ ADDRESS SAN FRANCISCO, .June 26. T’he United Nations Conference came to a formal close this afternoon. At a striking and colouorful final plenary session in the crowded WaiMemorial Opera House, those qualities of goodwill, sincerity and realism for which the world’ has looked to the conference, reached their highest level. Among none of the 11 distinguished statesmen who addressed the session in their own languages did they find a more impressive expression than in the words of Mr Truman. “This is a great day in history,” declared President Truman after-the signing of the new World Charter. “I and my people are glad that this historic meeting and its accomplishments have taken place in our country.” He said the Charter of the United Nations represented a solid structure upon which they could build for a better world. History would honour them for it. They had fought together for final victory in Europe and they would fight on to final victory against Japan, thus gaining a victory against war itself. If they had had the Charter a few years ago and’ had had the will to use it, millions now dead would be alive, said Mr Truman. “If we now falter and’ fail to use the Charter millions now living will surely die.” It had been said that the Charter was only a preliminary step. That was true. The important thing,.was that all their thinking and action had been based upon the realisation that it was only a first step. They .had made a very good beginning and they had to keep their eye on the final objective. “Let us march forward.” he said. The Charter' materialised from many exchanges of conflicting opinions based on colour, religion, culture and nationality. Changing world conditions would require adjustments to be made, but they would be the readjustments of peace and not of war. The delegates from the 50 nations had forgotten their many differences in their unshakeable determination to find a way to end wars. The President said the Charter Was not the work of one nation or of a group of large nations, but the work of large and small nations alike. It was based on a spirit of give and . take, and they had found the common ground’ on which to stand. That was the essence of democracy. In spite of the many difficulties and problems arising over boundaries, the control of . Germany, reparations, and - war criminals, the delegates continued relentlessly to frame the Charter. They had solved many difficult problems during the war and those to come would also be solved. They had tested, the principle of co-operation in the war and they found that it worked’. They had shown what united strength could do in the war against Germany. That united strength would also force Japan to surrender. The peoples of the world, must know the truth to be free, said Mr Truman. They must also learn the truth and speak the truth. The evils of Fascism were not destroyed with the death of Mussolini. Fascism had firm roots in too many fanatical brains. Those ideas had not been destroyed with the burning of concentration camps. Those ideals had to be killed by the destruction of those things which gave them birth. The victories, on the battlefields, although necessary, were not enough, and the peoples of the world must determine to destroy the ideals fostered during the last decade, which caused the conflict. Even while the great German war machine was being destroyed, these same forces treid to divide the United Nations. They failed, but they would try again, as it was part of their plan. They endeavoured to force one to suspect the other. “I am speaking for every one ot you when I say that the United Nations will remain united,” continued Mr Truman. “They will not be divided before the Japanese surrender or after.” , , , The Charter, said Mr Truman, had given reality to the ideals of a great statesman of two decades, ago-—Mr Woodrow Wilson. They were now moving towards the goal for which that great man gave his life,, lhe new structure, he said, was rising on firm foundations, and it would be criminal for the nations to fail to grasp this new chance to create an enduring peace through the guidance °f God. , After Mr Truman’s address the United States Secretary of State (Mr Stettinius), amidst prolonged cheering, grasped the hand of the Preside The chairman (Lord Halifax), then declared the conference adjourned. This was followed by the playing of the United States National Anthem.