Dominion's First Task After War

Northern Advocate, 17 January 1944, Page 3

Dominion's First Task After War

(Special) CANBERRA, This Day. New Zealand's first post-war “migration"’ task will be to provide for more than 163,000 ex-servicemen and women,” declared the Prime Minister (Hon. P. Fraser), at a Press conference here. Re-establishment in civilian life, economic security and adequate housing, were all essential parts of that task. Mr Fraser made this reply when asked whether New Zealand had laid down a post-war immigration policy. He declined to discuss a White Australia policy, but said that an influx of people on low economic levels could create grave problems for countries which had set high living standards. After properly providing for ex-service personnel New Zealand would consider encouraging immigration. The need for a great Dominion population was thoroughly realised. “Our first job is to look after our fighting men,” said Mr Fraser. “We must build homes for the lads without whom we would have no homes at all. Now that the war is moving northwards, we are able to return some tradesmen to house-building. We believe our New Zealand housing scheme to be unexcelled. However, we are encountering difficulties in material shortages.”

“Diplomatically Non-committal”

The Prime Minister answered a barrage of questions concerning postwar planning and socialisation developments in Nwe Zealand. He was, however, diplomatically non-commit-tal on such broad questions as Pacific air bases and post-war control of Japanese islands. Other subjects touched by Mr Fraser were:World Peace: A resuscitated League of Nations or a similarly organisation, whole-heartedly supported at least by the United Nations, could work effectively. Such a body must be given sufficient force to exercise its authority.

Pacific Island Control: This might take many forms and was a question for discussion and arrangement. He had no doubt that the United Nations could reach a satisfactory agreement and that the’ big problems of the Pacific could be solved in such a way as to strengthen the democracies. Mr Nash’s idea of a federation of interested. friendly powers, to act as guardians over the Pacific Islands was worth considering. Many countries were interested in the area. Pacific subjects to be considered by the AustraliaNew Zealand conference would also be -considered by the forthcoming Imperial Confei-ence and probably by a later conference of all interested United Nations. Imperial Collaboration Imperial Co-operation: Close collaboration and frequent consultations between all member nations of the British Commonwealth were to be commended. He looked forward to even greater post-war co-operation between

Australia and New Zealand on a “two-way traffic” basis. New Zealand owed Australia its deepest gratitude for supplying many war necessities. Australian iron and steel were necessary to New Zealand. Secondary industries in both countries must be developed greatly in post-war years. They were vital to increased populations. New Zealand Defence: A standing defence for New Zealand was part of the Labour policy, but the limits of that defence in post-war years would be governed by security requirements which could not, as yet, be determined.

Mr Fraser emphasised that on questions of post-war security control the New Zealand Government had an open mind. Only by all working together could Pacific problems be solved and the cause of democracy assisted.

Paying a tribute to Australia's “prodigious” war effort, the Prime Minister said that collaboration between Australia and New Zealand, since the beginning of the war, could riot possibly have been closer. This collaboration would be maintained and developed.