N.Z. Stands By Partition Plan For Palestine

Northern Advocate, 30 November 1948, Page 5

N.Z. Stands By Partition Plan For Palestine

LONDON, Mon. (10.30 a.m.) —The New Zealand Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) speaking in the debate on Palestine at the United Nations in Paris, said he thought the best method of reaching a solution was by negotiations between Jews and Aiabs. On the other hand it was impossible to nullify or circumvent the partition resolution of last year, which New Zealand would stand by.

Any reversal of this resolution would mean that the United Nations was bankrupt. He had always construed a national home as meaning a national state, and said the Jews must be masters in their own house.

Mr Fraser favoured establishment of a conciliation commission, and thought Count Bernadotte's proposals should be taken into consideration, but he saw no hope of agreement without a lead from the United Nations. WITHDRAWAL OF TROOPS Any abdication from the 1947 partition proposals would make the position more confused and might even lead to a renewal of hostilities. Approving the principle of withdrawal of troops, both of the Arab states and Jewish troops from Western Gaililee, Mr Fraser also said the United Nations should make the maximum possible effort to assist Arab refugees and give extensive economic and financial help to the Arab countries to enable them to be developed. Mr Fraser may return to London on December 5. The date of his return to New Zealand is still uncertain.