Principal Points Of New Pact

Northern Advocate, 22 January 1944, Page 2

Principal Points Of New Pact

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, This Day. The actlng-Prime .Minister (Hen. 1). G. Sullivan) released last night a summary ol the principal points in the clauses of tire agreement made at Canberra between repiesentativs ol the Commonwealth and New Zealand Governments. Mr. Sullivan said that messages he had received from Mr. Fraser during the week all indicated that from ~he beginning there existed a common outlook on the part of the representatives of the two countries. “The agreement covers a wide range of mest important subjects, all of wihch are vital to the future of our :\vo Dominions,” he said. “It is broad in concept and in harmony with the spirit of the Atlantic Charter. That it was possible to conclude it in so short a time, is evidence of tire unity oi outlook of the representatives of both Governments. II is indeed a happy augury for the people of our two countries.” Details of Pact Clauses of the. Pact are as follows: Definition and Objectives of Collaboration (1) Provision for fuller exchange of information and views on matters of common interest. (2) A mutual assurance that each will be acquainted of the mind of the other before views are expressed elsewhere. (3) A maximum degree of unity in presentation of views of the two countries. (4) Expeditious and continuous means of consultation. (5) The Governments to act together in matters of common concern in the SouthWest and South Pacific. (6) Compatible with separate military commands, the Governments agree to co-ordinate efforts of prosecution of the war to a successful conclusion. Armistice and Subsequent Arrangements (7) The Governments have vital interests in all armistice preparations ending hostilities or any part thereof, and also in subsequent arrangements, and claim representation at the highest level on all planning and executive bodies. (8) A final peace settlement to be made after hostilities with all enemies are concluded. (9) Subject to the above, the Governments will seek an agreement with each other on any armistice terms, (10) The two Governments should actively participate in any armistice commission. (11) Each Government to set up an armistice and post-hostilities planningcommittee. (12) The Governments to collaborate generally regarding location of machinery set up under international organisations, e.g., U.N.R.R.A. (13‘ The Governments to agree that within the framework of a general system of world security, a regional zone of defence comprising the South-West and South Pacific areas shall be established, based on Australia and New Zealand and stretching through the arc of islands north and north-east of Australia to Western Samoa and the Cook Islands. (14) The Governments consider it of cardinal importance to be associated in planning the establishment and later stages of a general international organisation referred to in the Moscow declaration of October, 1943. (15) Ponding the re-establishment ot law and order and inauguration a system of general security, the two Governments'to declare their vital interest in the action contemplated in Article 5 of the Moscow declaration, and both consider it proper to assume full responsibility for policing or sharing in policing areas in the South-West and South Pacific. (16) The Governments accept as a recognised principal of international practice, that construction and use by any power hi time of war of naval, military or air installations in any territory under sovereignty or control of another power, does not afford any basis for territorial or sovereignty rights after the conclusion of hostilities.

Civil Aviation (17) Regulation of all air transport services should be subject to the terms of die convention to supersede the international convention on aerial navigation. (18) The Governments declare that services using' international air trunk routes should be operated by an international air transport authority. (19) The following principles are supported: (a), full control of international air trunk routes and ownership of all aircraft and ancillary equipment thereon by an international air transport authority and. (b), international air trunk routes to be specified in international agreements. (20) The Governments agree that an international agreement should be concluded, providing for the creation of an international air transport authority. 21) Within the framework of any such agreement the Governments’ support (A) the right of each country to concduct all services within its own national purisdiction. including its own contiguous territories, subject only to international requirements regarding safety facilities, landing and transit rights, for international services and exchanging of mails. (B) The right of Australia and New Zealand to utilise to the fullest extent, their productive capacity in respect of aircraft and materials. (C) The right of Australia and New Zealand to use a fair proportion of their own personnel, agencies and materials in operating and maintaining international air trunk routes.

(22) In the event of failure to obtain a satisfactory international agreement for the establishment and use of international air trunk routes, the Governments will support a system of air trunk routes controlled and operated by Governments of the British Commonwealth under Government ownership. (23) The Governments will act conjointly in support of the above mentioned principle with respect to civil aviation, and will inform each other of existing interests and commitments. Dependencies and Territories (24) The Governments will regularly exchange information and views in regard to developments in, or affecting islands of the Pacific. (25) The Governments note the intention of the Australian Government to resume administration as soon as possible oi territories not yet re-occupied. (26) The Governments declare that interim administration and ultimate disposal of enemy territories in the Pacific is of vital importance to Australia and New Zealand. They will not consent to, or recognise disposal of those territories except with their agreement and as part of the general Pacific settlement and that any such disposal should be effeeted only with their agreement and as part of a general Pacific settlement. (27) The two Governments declare that no change in sovereignty or system of control of any Pacific Islands should be made except by agreement to which they are parties, or in the terms of which they have both concurred.

Welfare and Advancement of Native Peoples

(28) The Governments declare Ihht in applying the Atlantic Charter to the Pacific, the doctrine of "trusteeship” is applicable in broad principle to all colonial territories, and that the main purpose of the trust is the welfare of the native peoples and their social, economic and political development. (29) The Governments agree that the future of territories of the Pacific and welfare of the inhabitants cannot be successfully promoted without a greater | measure of collaboration by the authori- ! ties concerned in ihcir control. ! (30) The Governments agree to promote the establishment as soon as possible of a regional organisation with advisory powers called the “South Seas Regional Commission,” on which, in addition to Australian and New Zealand representatives, there might be representatives of the Government of the United Kingdom. United States and France. (31) The Governments agree that it shall bd the function of the commission to secure a common policy on social, economic j and political developments directed to--1 wards the advancement and well-being of j native peoples and that in particular, the commission shall recommend arrangements I for (a), participation of natives in admin- } istration with a view to promoting ultimate attainment of self-government in a i form most suitable to the circumstances |of the native peoples concerned; (b), material development, including production, finance, communications and marketing, (c), co-ordination of health and medical services and education, (d), maintenance of recognised standards of native welfare in regard to labour conditions and social ! services and nutrition; (e>. arrange for i collaboration in economic, social, medical 'and anthropological research; (f). making and publishing periodical reviews of progress towards development of self-govern-ing institutions in the Pacific Islands and in the improvement of standards of living conditions of workmen, education, health and general welfare. Migration (32) In the peace settlement or other negotiations, the Governments will accord each other full support in maintaining the accepted principle that every Government has a right to control immigration and emigration in territories within its jurisdiction. (33) The Government will collaborate in the exchange of full information and render all assistance to each other in all matters concerning inigration to their territories.

International Conference Relating to the South-West and South Pacific (34) The Governments agree oil « a nK exchange of views as soon as possible on problems of security, post-war developments and native welfare between properly accredited representatives of otnei Governments with existing territorial interests in the South-West or South Pacific area, namely the United States, Netherlands, France and Portugal, and the Australian Government will take the necessary steps to call a conference. IHimanent Machinery fci Collaboration Between Australia and New Zealand (35 1 The Governments are agreed upon (a), co-operation in defence matters to be attained through continued consultation on defence matters, organisation, equipment, training and exercise of armed forces under a common doctrine of joint planning, interchange of staff, co-ordina-tion of policy for production of munitions, aircraft and supply items, and for shipping to secure the greatest possible degree of mutual aid consistent with maintenance of policy of self sufficiency in local production; (b), collaboration in external poliev of matters affecting the peace, welfare 'and good government of the Pacific to be secured through the exchange ol information and frequent Ministerial consultations; (c) development ol commerce between Australia and New Zealand, their industrial development to be secured by consultation and in agreed cases by joint planning; (cl), co-operation in achieving full employment in Australia and New Zealand and their territories and the highest standards ol' social security; (e>. cc-cperation in encouraging missionary work and other activities directed towards the improvement oi welfare of nativepeoples. (36) The Governments declare their desire to have the adherence of any country having or controlling territories in the Pacific to the objectives set out in Clause 35. The Governments agree that the method to be used for carrying out Clause 35 and other provisions shall be consultation, exchange of information, and. where applicable, joint planning, such I methods to include (a), conferences ot ministers to be held alternatively in Canberra and Wellington, it being the aim of the two Governments to hold these at least twice a year; (b), conferences of departmental officers and technical experts; (c). meetings of standing intergovernmental committees on such subjects as are agreed to by the two Governments; <d), fullest use of the status and functions of High Commissioners: to), regular exchange of information; (1), exchange of officers; tg), development of institutions in either country serving common purposes of both. Permanent Secretariat (37) To ensure continued collaboration and to give effect to the decisions of the agreement a permanent secretariat is to be established. (38) The secretariat is to be known as the Australia-New Zealand Affairs Secretariat and is to be set up in each country, each under the control of the Ministry for External Affairs. (39) The functions of the secretariat are; (a), to take the initiative in ensuring that effect is given to the provisions ot the agreement; (b), to arrange as occasion arises for the holding of conferences or meetings; (.c), to carry out. the directions of the" conferences in regard to further consultation, exchange ot information or examination of particular questions; (cl), to further collaboration between the two Governments; (e), to raise for joint discussion and action such other matters as may seem to require attention by the two Governments: (f), generally to provide tor more frequent and regular exchange ot information and views, these exchanges to take place normally through the respective High Commissioners. (40) Each Government will nominate an ■ officer or officers from the High Commissioner’s staff to act in closest collaboration with the secretariat where they will be accorded full access to all relevant sources of information. (41) In each country the Minister tor External Affairs and the resident High Commissioner shall have joint responsibility tor the effective functioning of the secretariat. Ratification (42) The agreement to be subject to ratification by the respective Governments and to come into force on the date ol ratification.