Dominions To Represent Empire At Peace Making

Northern Advocate, 5 March 1947, Page 5

Dominions To Represent Empire At Peace Making

AUSTRALIA WANTS.

(Received 1 p.m.) LONDON, March 4. AUSTRALIA made important proposals for the Dominions to take a more prominent part in the Moscow meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers to discuss the German and Austrian treaties by their representation, on behalf of Britain, as one of the Big Four on some‘of the conference’s sub-committees and even, on occasion, as the British representative in Big Four discussions.

The Australian Associated Press says unis arose from Australia’s preprevious suggestions to the deputies’ conference in London, for greater participation by the smaller powers in treaty-making procedures. As a result of reactions to 'those suggestions Australia feels that there are many smaller Allies whose faith in the peace which is emerging from International conferences is diminishing and who regard themselves as being relegated to “the outer circle ’ while “inner circles” arrange the peace. Australia's views have been placed before the United Kingdom and other Dominion representatives at a series of meetings at the Dominions' Office and, through the latter, to the Foreign Office. AS A GROUP The suggestion is that the United | Kingdom and the Dominions should j act as a group, not as separate en- ! titles, and that the group be represented on sub-committees not solely j by the United Kingdom representatives ! but by representatives of various j component parts—for example, AusI tralia might speak for the whole i group on (say) the reparations subcommittee. The Dominions, thus would not be merely advisers but actually fully fledged participants. The Australian Associated Press learns that the Foreign Office found the proposal that a Dominion representative should, on occasion, represent the whole group instead of Mr Bevin “indigestible.” but would prob- ! ably accept representation on subcommittees provided unanimity could be obtained for such procedure. | CANADA ALOOF | Canada was not enthusiastic on the ground that group representation j would give the appearance of a bloc j which would incur Russia’s suspicion and criticism. South Africa's attitude was described as one of “wary watching and waiting.” New Zealand supported Australia. Behind Australia's move is a growing apprehension that what happens in evolving the procedure for making the Austrian and German treaties may later be applied in procedure for the Japanese treaty. The southern Dominions share the dislike of being placed in a position of “hanging on the tail-board” when the European treaties are being evolved and certainly will take even stronger objection when the Japanese treaty is being considered. The present approach to the prob-j lem has been made with the object of j | preventing their position as regards Japan being as bad as it is now as regards Germany and Australia.