OURSELVES & THE U.S.S.R.

Grey River Argus, 24 November 1945, Page 8

OURSELVES & THE U.S.S.R.

The expected arrival of a Soviet Ambassador in New Zealand is an occasion for reflection upon our future relations with the U.S.S.R.

The U.S.S.R., like New Zealand, is a Facific country, and for reasons of geography, must inevitably play an important part in the future of Pacific relations.

The N.Z. “Herald” and other Tory newspapers are sharply attacking the U.S.S.R. which they hav ethe temerity to describe as “imperialistic.” The “Herald,” for example, denounces the U.S.S.R. which they have the temerity ently offered to assist in the trusteeship of the one-time Italian colony of T’ripolitania. It is somewhat interesting 'to recall that the SovietUnion was . the only nation at San Francisco which desired the recognition in the trusteeship declaration of the right of all peoples within its scope to absolute independence.

Perhaps this is what is irritating Mr. Bevin and his Tory Allies: they fetir that Soviet trusteeship in Tripolitania would eventually result in an in’ l ependent T’ripolitania instead of a pawn of British imperialism!

However, New Zealand’s immediate kiterest is with the U.S.S.R. as a Pacific Power. It is obvious that the present American policy, if continued, will result in the revival of Japanese military reaction before many years are past. (This is made plain by Mr. J. M. Bertram, authority on the Far East, who is writing a series of articles in the N.Z. “Herald” itself.) SOVIET IS PACIFIC POWER. , Nor is Japan the only potential aggressor as far as New Zealand is concerned. American dollar imperialism is throwing its weight about and has bluntly warned the rest of the world that it considers the Pacific Ocean and its contents to be the exclusive property of Wall Street.

The arrogant demand to Britain that it shall scale down, i.e., repudiate its debts to the Dominions would amount to confiscation of New Zealand’s sterling funds, and provides a cynical commentary on the regard of Wall Street for the very private property rights of which it constitutes itself the champion.

With Britain reduced to the position of a second-rate Power and United States imperialism becoming ever more aggressive and reactionary, Soviet influence in the Pacific becomes of first-class importance.

Only . the influence of the Soviet Union exerted against the revival of reaction in Japan, in favour of a progressive independent China and of democracy throughout the world can be counted on as far as the great Powers are concerned, to prevent another war of aggression which will

destroy this country’s independence. Cne of the New Zealand Government’s main tasks in the sphere of international relations must be to build closer relations with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.