Mr. Fraser-

Northern Advocate, 22 January 1944, Page 3

Mr. Fraser-

(Special) CANBERRA, This'Day. “Our agreement is a valuable document and contains possibilities of great benefits for Australia and New Zealand, for the British Empire and for the world at large,” declared Mr Fraser. “I have every confidence that Australia and New Zealand will, march forward together to better things for our OAvn countries and for the Avhole Avorld and I hope that the ideals for which we stand will be accepted by all peoples. The occasion of the signing of this agreement is an historic one, in that it marks a common approach to great problems by two democratic British nations set apart from the great powers of the world. “We have shown that representatives of Australia and New Zealand can discuss matters of the greatest importance to our two countries and the world without putting forward anything that cuts across the greater harmony and greater co-operation of the British Commonwealth of Nations and the world at large.

Of Immense Benefit

“We have given a close study to problems affecting our peoples and we have come to complete agreement on questions Avhich Avill be discussed in the British Commomvealth of Nations and ultimately in that international assembly which we hope Avill control effectively the post-war destinies of humanity. “The spirit of co-operation, understanding and mutual accommodation which has been in evidence at this conference, will be of immense benefit to the peoples of Australia and New Zealand. We pledge ourselves to consult on all matters of mutual interest and importance; but we have not pledged ourselves to agree on every matter—though we believe that the fullest measure of agreement is highly desirable, indeed essential, in the interests of both countries.” No Self-Aggrandisement Mr Fraser emphasised that nothing had been farther from the conference’s thoughts than self-aggrandise-ment. Australia’s and New Zealand’s first concern had been the welfare of their OAvn peoples. The countries shared in the ideal that the conditions of their two peoples should be progressively improved and that they should be protected against the impact of preventable conditions. “We have no intentions of scoring off other peoples,” said Mr Fraser. “On the contrary, one of the Impelling motives of the conference is the advancement of native peoples in tfie South Pacific and that objective looms large in our agreement.

“The Ngav Zealand believes that by close consultation Avith the CommonAyealth Government and representatives of the United Kingdom, Avho are our close neighbours in Fiji, as Avell as A\dth other Pacific nations, if they so desire, avc can care for and advance the welfare of the native peoples to a much larger degree than ever before. “In dealing with security in the Pacific, our agreement does make a distinction between provisions foxpreservation of Avorld peace and defence of the Pacific area. We believe that Avorld peace is a world matter and can only be maintained by a Avox-ld-wide organisation; but we also believe our immediate safety from aggression is a question for the peoples of the Southern Pacific. Peoples of this area must provide against that.” Common Problems The common problems shared by New Zealand and Australia with other Pacific nations were referred to by Mr Fraser, who said that he believed wider agreements could be reached if the spirit which had dominated the Anzac Conference was brought into broader discussions. He thanked the CommonAvealth Government for its friendly welcome and paid tribute to Di\ Evatt and departmental officers of both Dominions who prepared the documents embodying the objectives of the conference. “We believe,” declared Mr Fraser, “that every nation must be mistress of its OAvn destinies in regard to. in-tei-nal economy and social conditions, and that it is possible to give that inherent freedom to every nation on earth without weakening the bonds of co-operation and Avorld brotherhood. It is in that direction that our agreement goes a \ 7 ery considerable distance.”

Details of the Pact are Given on Page 2.

COMMENT ON AGREEEMENT