FOR DUTY IN JAPAN

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 258, 29 September 1945, Page 5

FOR DUTY IN JAPAN

NEW ZEALAND TROOPS / . FORCE FROM MEDITERRANEAN (N.Z. Press Association.—Copyright.) (Rec. 10.35 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 28. General Freyberg said at Caserta, Italy, today that 4000 mwi of the New Zealand Division, at present stationed in Egypt and Italy, may be used as a force of occupation in Japan for six months until a volunteer force was ready. This would be drawn from volunteers in New Zealand. No New Zealanders would be used in the garrisoning of Europe.

A plan will soon be announced under which Australia's views on the formulation of the Allied policy on the political control of Japan will receive greater consideration than previously.

The plan is the outcome of almost daily consultations between Dr Evatt, Mr Bevin and Mr Byrnes. Details are not yet available, but it is understood that the political policy towards Japan will be laid down by a Commission representing all the active participants in the war against Japan.

Such a Commission is reported to have been advocated by M. Molotov at the Council of Foreign Ministers this week, but important improvements have been made on M. Molotcrv's plan which envisaged a Commission comprised of representatives only of Britain, America, Russia and China. ' Dr Evatt took a strong line on the point that Australia, as well as the other small nations which participated in the war against Japan, should have representatives on the Commission. In this contention he won Mr Bevin's immediate support. Mr Byrnes indicated America's probable friendly approval.

The object of tlie plan is to ensure that all active participants in the war against Japan shall have their viewpoints considered on all aspects of the occupation policy for Japan, excluding matters of an exclusively military character. On the military side there is an inclination to accept the higher N direction of the United States" since Japan accepted the Potsdam Declaration providing that she should take orders from the American Supreme Commander. Only Britain, America and Australia are at present familiar with the details of the plan, but it is believed that it will be acceptable to all the nations interested in the Pacific peace. .