Friendly Spirit At Commonwealth Talks

Northern Advocate, 6 September 1947, Page 6

Friendly Spirit At Commonwealth Talks

(Special) AUCKLAND, This Day. Giving his impressions on the conference of British Commonwealth Governments on the Japanese peace treaty, the Prime Minister (Mr Fraser), who returned by flyingboat yesterday, said he had never attended an international conference pervaded by a more friendly spirit. As a result of the discussions, the British Commonwealth delegations would be able to make a much more valuable contribution to the success of the final conference than would otherwise have been the case. “The New Zealand interest in the settlement was primarily one of security and the New Zealand delegation at the conference had this interest firmly in mind throughout the course of the discussions.

“At the same time we were very conscious of the fact that to deprive Japan of the power of aggression was only one-half of our purpose, and that if we are to gain long-term security the Japanese must be encouraged to develop along peaceful and democratic lines.

“It is necessary not merely to remove the Japanese means of waging war, but of even more importance is the necessity for removing the will to wage war.” It was clear that Japan’s economy must be sufficient to maintain her, Mr Fraser said. That was essential for the economic and social welfare of Asia and the world. It was equally important that Japan should be taught the advantages of democracy. In that connection the conference paid special attention to the new Japanese constitution and to the necessity for providing for the recognition and enforement of fundamental rights and freedom of association. Mr Fraser said that opportunity would be takep as soon as possible to discuss in Parliament the issues of the peace settlement as they now presented themselves and to present to Parliament a statement of the policy which might guide the New Zealand delegation which would share with the other Pacific belligerents the task of drafting the treaty.