Open Or Secret Diplomacy?

Northern Advocate, 26 June 1946, Page 4

Open Or Secret Diplomacy?

Reading between the lines of various statements by responsible men during recent weeks, it is not difficult to believe that far-reach-ing plans have been made for the development of Empire defence. The conference of Prime Ministers of the Dominions held recently in London doubtless reached decisions the nature of which will become apparent in due time. Mr Nash, in the course of a broadcast from London, was clearly of opinion that there is danger in the new open diplomacy, which suggests that he believes the less said publicly about diplomatic questions until finality has been reached the better will it be for the nations principally concerned, as well as the world at large. It was considei’ed a great step forward, he said, to know what diplomat's were talking about, but it was necessary to be

careful and responsible, because it might prove to be a step backward. In view of this statement, it is not surprising to hear that MajorGeneral N. W. McD. Weir, Chief of the New Zealand General Staff, is to leave for London to attend a special British Commonwealth conference on defence called by FieldMarshal Montgomery, Chief of the Imperial General Staff. The proceedings of the conference are to be secret. No doubt heads of Dominion Governments are aware of what has been done and what is proposed to be done, but, as Mr Nash says should be done regarding diplomatic discussions, the New Zealand Government will no doubt — this time compulsorily—emulate Brer Rabbit. Little information may be expected to be released until due time, despite demands that may be made. _____