POST-WAR WORLD

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 11 March 1943, Page 2

POST-WAR WORLD

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. PROBLEMS CO-OPERATION WITH U.S.A. URGED Sydney, Mar. 10. “It is time a great deal more thought was given to the Australia of the future,” declared Sir Keith Murdoch, Australia’s best-known journalist and chairman of directors of the influential Melbourne “Herald” Company. In a clear-sight-ed and feeling article, he outlines the main problems which will be shared by Australia and New Zealand after the war, and offers some suggestions for meeting them.

Principally, he urges a policy of vigorous internal expansion, coupled with the closest co-operation with the United States. “The vision of a just and strong Australia, greatly loved, ample and genial in life, is in the hearts of the gallant men who cleave the skies or the sea or march against thencountry’s enemies,” he writes. “They know they fight for national life and freedom and individual life and freedom—that if they fail, the red embrace of an inhumanly callous conqueror must follow. But they have something more in their minds—they have hope, expectation and faith in a good land. They idealise their country and we must not disappoint them.” HAZARDOUS POSITION Stressing the hazardous geographic position of Australia and New Zealand in relation to the Asiatic world, Sir Keith declares that least of all the nations can we afford to make ease and plenty every man’s right without making the toil cf production, thrift and contribution every fit man’s responsibility. “All men who fight know this,” he adds. “They know we are fortunate to get a second chance to make this country great and that strong realistic action must follow the war.”

Sir Keith outlines three principles governing Australia’s place in the postwar world —the principles having exactly equal point for New Zealand. First, the only answer to the claims of an aroused Asia that Australia and New Zealand are part of her continent is a busy Australia, of spreading industry, simple family life, growing populationand deep patriotism; 10,000,000 in 10 years—and good ones. Secondly, while taking a new part in the affairs of the British Empire, Australia will need an American alliance. She must maintain America’s binding interest in the South-West Pacific. Thirdly, Australia must find a basis of good neighbourliness with Asia, based on cultural exchanges, flowing trade and mutual recognition of differing economic systems and living conditions.

TIES WITH BRITAIN “There is no question of Australia leaving the British Empire,” he said. “By every tie of sentiment, appreciation and self-interest, we are called not only to be part of it, but to take part in the management and defence of those parts round us. But there is one unchallenging fact about Australia; that is, that its security and its progress are urgent matters beyond the strength of its own inhabitants and beyond what Britain can in its future strategical position afford. America’s permanent interests in Australia and New Zealand must be won. We should declare that any American who fought in these parts should be assured of Australian citizenship after the war, with the same right as those of our own sons. In all our planning, we should aim at America joining in the use and control of those islands and strategic parts of the Asiatic mainland which must be held for the white man’s defence. Our AustralianAmerican relations are not good enough. Large and strong action should be taken to put them right.” Sir Keith emphasises the “vital magnificence” of America’s attitude toward the South Pacific democracies (Australia and New Zealand). It is said that Australia has great value to America as a base against the Japanese. That is only partly true, it may even be that the involvement of a large Japanese army down here would have been preferred by American strategists, while America and Britain prepared to strike at the long sea communications on either flank. But whatever can be said about that aspect, I am certain that the main thought in America’s mind was to save Australia and that the Administration, which led the American nation into a distant and idealistic war felt our needs in its heart.—P.A. Special Australian Correspondent.

AIR TRANSPORT

NEW ZEALAND’S IMPORTANT PART (Rec. 10.30 a.m.) London, Mar. 10. Air transport is one of the most widely discussed subjects in Britain at present both from the wartime and post-war viewpoints. The House of Lords and the House of Commons are both shortly debating its many aspects, and it is believed there will probably be created an Air Transport Command to play a part in all war theatres. It will be of particular interest to New Zealand in that the Dominion is an important airpost through which are flowing provisions, arms and supplies for regaining parts of the British Empire at present occupied by the Japanese and also China. Interest is naturally taken in the part New Zealand is prepared to play. It is an opportunity to prove the strategic importance of the Dominion in respect to post-war air transport between America, Australia and India and gives New Zealand a definite interest in post-war commercial aviation.—P.A. Special Correspondent.

PROBLEMS TO BE DISCUSSED

ARRANGEMENTS IN HAND MR EDEN'S STATEMENT (Rec. 11.5 a.m.) Rugby. Mar. 10. The Foreign Minister. Mr Eden, answering questions in the House of Commons regarding preparations being made to meet post-war problems, said Britain would naturally desire to be represented at any discussions held by the United Nations. Until an agenda had been more precisely defined he could not state what form the participation

would take. Britain warmly welcomed the proposal bv the United States As-sistant-Secretary of State, Mr Sumner Welles, for discussions on economic matters and the Government had been in touch with Dominions and India on various post-war financial questions of common interest, end also had a number of informal meetings With the Allied Governments in London. These consultations would be continued. In addition to the work undertaken by many Government departments there was a number of inter-departmental committees engaged in studying these problems and preparing ground for negotiation with the United Nations. Britain had informed the United States that she welcomed the suggested discussions on refugee problems. Some of the Governments concerned had also had discussions on the question of the trial of Axis war criminals, but he was not in a position to make a statement on the question of jurisdiction for such trials.

Asked for an assurance that the British Government was in no way bound by the Vienna Award of 1940 fixing a new boundary between Rumania and Hungary- Mr Eden said the Government’s attitude had been expressed by

Mr Churchill when he said he did not recognise any territorial changes unless they took place with the consent and goodwill xf the parties concerned. , -8.0. W.