The Anzac Spirit

Northern Advocate, 29 June 1944, Page 2

The Anzac Spirit

tP.A.) WELLINGTON. This Day. Tite common interests of Australia and New Zealand wen- emphasised by the Australian Federal Minister for Ttade ana Customs (Senator R. V. Keane i, and the acting-Primc Minister (Hon. D. G. Sullivan) at a State luncheon on Tuesday.

Mr. Sullivan said New Zealand had rear son to be grateful to Australia, particularly during the war. for ils assistance to this' Dominion. Australia first came to the assistance of New Zealand in -supplying necessary materials to enable tiiis country to go ahead with the manufacture of munitions and war equipment. Gn another occasion, Australia had agreed to give Now Zealand one-sixth of ils production, and so file spirit oi comradeship was translated into practical action. Canberra Ag t eitm en t In this way the Dominion was enabler! to build up its own production ot munitions to a substantial extent, so much so that when hostilities broke out in the Pacific, New Zealand was in a position to put up a reasonable fight. Referring to .the Canberra agreement. Mr. Sullivan said it was a wonderful instrument of collaboration in the Pacific. It was inevitable that: there should be misunderstandings in some quarters and int.---representatiens in others, but when Mr Fraser and Mr. Curtin arrived in the United States and the United Kingdom, they were able to dispel whatever doubts existed. The agreement was pregnant with infinite possibilities for good in the days to come.

“I hope Senator Keane will not try to sell us everything and buy nothing in return. for we have some very good products we are able to sell.” said Mr. Sullivan. He added that ideas outlined to him by Senator Keane were based on a reciprocal attitude. Senator Keane said lie found that, like Australia, New Zealand had mobilised for a total war effort. He was astounded to see there was no rationing of beer in New Zealand. "We send you malt to make your beer and leave ourselves short,” said -Senator Keane, amid laughter.

Tiie Canberra agreement, said the Minister, was a milestone in the history ot Australia and New Zealand. They wanted tlie agreement 1o be effective for defence and the relationships of their two countries. New Zealand, which had done practically tin- same things as Australia had done, was a country of colossal possi hi!ities. Australia required population, so did New Zealand.

No Chance to Recover