The Northern Advocate "NORTHLAND FIRST" Registered for transmission through the post as a Newspaper. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1944. HANDS ACROSS THE TASMAN.

Northern Advocate, 19 January 1944, Page 2

The Northern Advocate "NORTHLAND FIRST" Registered for transmission through the post as a Newspaper. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 1944. HANDS ACROSS THE TASMAN.

THE conference of the heads of the New Zealand and Australian Governments which is being held at Canberra this week is apparently justifying predictions that it would be the most important gathering of its kind to take place in Australia since the outbreak of the war, The proceedings of the conference are being conducted m camera, as was to be expected, but statements made by Mr. Curtin and Mr. Fraser have revealed gratifying progress. It is stated today that unanimity has been reached on 75 per cent, of the questions discussed, while the remaining 25 per cent, are open to further consideration. This suggests chat considerable preliminary discussion must have taken place prior to the holding of the conference, either by correspondence between the leaders of the Governments or by the diplomatic representatives of the Commonwealth and Dominion. Be that as it may, it is good to hear that so great agreement exists between Australia and New Zealand on matters of vital importance to each. Too long has there been a disposition to regard the Tasman as definitely dividing peoples who, if they are to achieve security and promote domestic prosperity, must act as brothers in a great partnership. There seems to be complete agreement between the heads of the two Governments that Australia and New Zealand must speak with a united voice if they are to carry the weight due to them at the conference table of the nations. For that reason strong support must be given to the suggestion that close collaboration should be maintained between the two countries, so that each may know the mind of the other on any question of national or international importance, and thus prevent the confusion and embarrassment which occur when partners publicly express different opinions on matters of mutual interest. The conference unanimously agreed that provision should be made for fuller exchange of information on the views of the respective Government and also of facts in the possession of either Government which might bear on matters of common interest. Suggested methods by which this collaboration may be achieved are a joint secretariat, the creation of joint standing committees of the two Governments, or the granting of added powers to the high commissioners of the two countries. These are matters about which the Parliaments of the two countries should be given an opportunity to express an opinion, but there can be no question as to the desirability of the closest consultation and co-operation between two countries which, while preserving their own identity, must nevertheless act as one in peace as in war.