Australia Supports Trusteeship Proposal

Northern Advocate, 29 March 1947, Page 2

Australia Supports Trusteeship Proposal

(FICC. 2 p.rn.) . NEW YORK. Mar. 28.

Australia today withdrew her objections to. a United States proposal for immediate strategic trusteeship over former Japanese mandated Pacific islands. Colonel Hodgson told the Security Council that ‘in the interests of a unanimous decision” Australia would not press its proposal to postpone the operation of trusteeship until the Japanese peace treaty is signed.

Australia had never intended to delay- disposal of the islands but simply wished to maintain the vital principle that the final settlement with Japan should be approved by all nations which contributed to Japan's overthrow.

As the Security Council was permitting the nations which fought Japan to state thei.v views on the United States’ proposal, the council became for the time being a small replica of the conference of nations which would be. entitled to participate in the final settlement with Japan.

His instructions were in ihese circumstances, to support the American proposal.

NEW ZEALAND VIEW

Sir Carl Berendsen who. with the representatives of the Netherlands, India, Canada and the Philippines, was present by invitation, said that while New Zealand fully supported the American proposal, it considered disposition of the Pacific islands was a question for the final peace settlement with Japan, although his country made no issue of the matter. Mr Austin (United States) expressed appreciation of the Australian Government's goodwill and its “act of withdrawal,” which was in the interests of peace and security.

Australia’s decision came at a uniquely appropriate time to maintain confidence in the United'Nations.

After the representatives of India. Canada, the Netherlands and the Philippines supported the United States proposal, the council adjourned until April 2.