EMPIRE DISCUSSION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 7 April 1945, Page 4

EMPIRE DISCUSSION

PLAN FOR NEW WORLD ORDER NO NATIONAL INTERESTS DOMINION DELEGATES SPEAK Rugby, April 9•‘The close approach of victory in Europe means the time has come for further consultation of countries of the Commonwealth—especially about the future,” said Lord Cranborne, the Dominions Secretary, at a meting of British Commonwealth delegates in London. Lord Cranborne defined the main scope of the present meeting as ’ a plan for a new world order” and added “I should make it clear that the purpose of these talks is not to gang up against other nations or obtain any sectional advantages for ourselves. That would be contrary to the whole spirit in which Britain and the Dominions and India are going to the San Francisco conference. '•lf the organisation is to succeed it clearly will only be if each member state regards itself as a citizen of the world with responsibilities that override its purely national interests. It is, however, of course quite possible both to be a citizen of the world and a member of a family. We are a family and it it natural that we should wish to deliberate together so as to ensure that as far as possible we see eye to eye an the difficult problems we have to face and may be 6blc to make severally and jointly the greatest contribution in our power. ‘ It is in that spirit that we are entering on these meetings and I feel certain that they will be fruitful to Empire countries individually, to the British Commonwealth of Nations and to the world.” CANADA'S APPRECIATION Mr Vincent Massey, Canada, said: “Wc have come to these meetings with a clear idea of what .s in one another s minds. There is no subject on which inlra-Commonwealth consultations are of greater mutual advantage. Canada has greatly appreciated the full information and suggestions it has received from Britain and the constructive comments which have emanated from New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.” Mr Forde, Australia, said; "While we regard the British Commonwealth itself as an outstanding example of effective association for security, we recognise that the problem of maintaining world peace requires a wider ami bolder approach than can be made within the confines of our own British community.” Referring to the Dumbarton Oaks conference, Mr Forde said: "In many respects we find tit?, draft satisfactory. In some we shall seek amendment. Broadly, we consider that improvements could and should be made in relation to both security and welfare questions.” Mr Forde said they felt strongly that the powers and functions of the proposed economic and social council should be strengthened so that the world organisation might in practice be a potent advancement in all lands. Only thus could they realise the objectives the United Nations had already laid down in the Atlantic Charter and Philadelphia Declaration. MANDATES SYSTEM “We are satisfied that in the Pacific the mandates system has operated successfully and native peoples affected thereby have derived substantial benefit from the system.” Dr. Evatt (Australia) in endorsing Lord Cranborne’s welcome to India delegates, referred to the successful, exchange of high commissioners between Australia and India, and said it would be an advantage to the discussions to hear the point of view of India which was rapidly moving towards Dominion status. He echoed Mr Forde in saying: "It is clear that all the Dominions represented here, including the Mother Country, have proved themselves to be essentially ‘security powers’. The phrase fairly sums up the functions performed in two world wars by the United Kingdom and the Dominions.”

In the case of a man carrying out extensive harvesting operations—threshing and heading grain, hulling clover and chaff cutting—involving the use of extensive agricultural tractor plant, it was decided to appeal to the board for an extension of the time which his mobilisation has been deferred to enable his work for the season to be completed. After further discussion it was resolved that the Minister of Agriculture, through the local members of Parliament, be advised that th e executive could not reconcile the depletion of labour from the farms with the constant urge made by the National Primary Production Council for increased production and that the Minister be asked that the calling up of farm workers be delayed until replacements were available.