BRITISH TOPICS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25180, 18 April 1945, Page 8

BRITISH TOPICS

WAR DEVELOPMENTS PROBLEMS OF EUROPE MR CHURCHILL'S SPEECH (Special Correspondent) LONDON, April 16 The high tide of optimism which existed throughout the week-end, and gave rise to the speculation that the declaration of Victory Day might be made any day, has abated somewhat with latest reports oi German reeistance. But it is known that news of first-class importance has been discussed in Downing Street, and it is suggested that the actual situation is very much better than the news available to the public suggests. The prevailing atmosphere has heightened interest irt the speech which Mr Churchill is to make in the House of Commons on Thursday. It is expected to be very,long. In addition to dealing with current events and Rus-sian-Polish relations, it is also forecast that he will refer to the complex problems facing Europe on the defeat of Germany. Tribute to Mr Roosevelt Mr Churchill will, also speak in the House of Commons tomorrow in paying a tribute to the late President Roosevelt. A quite spontaneous movement among members of Parliament lias led to the understanding that he alone shall speak for the House of Commons, and that other party leaders will voluntarily forgo their right to speak. The sudden death of Mr Roosevelt cast the greatest shadow and sense of personal loss and sorrow on the nation as a whole since the death' of King George V. Mr Roosevelt was liked, admired and respected by the average man and woman of this country as a genuine friend and an able administrator, and he held a place in their minds which has been filled by no other foreign statesman, not oven Marshal Stalin.

There ins been general interest in President Truman. Accounts of his career and background have been read with' interest; *and his first steps on taking office have been generally approved here, particularly his invitation to the Soviet Foreign Minister, M. Molotov, to attend the San Francisco Conference. M. Molotov's acceptance of the invitation is reported to have given greatest satisfaction in London official circles and it is believed that the whole prospects of the conference have been transformed.. The Missing Poles

No official news has yet been received in London of the 15 missing Poles, who were headed by the deputy-Prime Minister of Poland, after ■ they left for a conference at the headquarters of General Ivanov, on the Ruthenian front, to discuss the _ emergence from secrecy of. Polish political parties. Mr Vernon Bartlett, M.P., writing in the News Chronicle, believes the rumours are correct that these Poles of the underground movement have been negotiating with the Provisional Administration in • Warsaw under the auspices of M. Molotov, but without the knowledge of his British and American colleagues on the committee. If they are true, Mr Bartlett thinks the first British and American reaction will be unfavourable, M. . Molotov's colleagues. having been treated with lack of frankness and courtesy. But, he adds, the end may justify the means. This background heightens interest in Mr Churchill's forthcoming speech. The San Francisco Conference is to be debated in the House of Commons tomorrow and the debate will he of particular interest following on the recent Commonwealth discussions. It is believed that in those discussions the New Zealand delegation reiterated the views expressed on the occasion of the Australia-New Zealand talks in Wellington last November as to the safeguarding of the "territorial integrity and political independence" of members of the new world organisation against change by force or threat of force. Greater Powers ior Assembly

I It is understood that the delegation urged that members should be asked to give a clear pledge that they will join in resisting any such threat. Prepared herself to make such pledges and contribute everything that is required of her in honouring them, New Zealand is known to be seeking greater powers for the assembly of the new organisation in deciding when and where they should be acted upon. The Dominion's delegates are understood to emphasise that world security rests, in their opinion, not only on the determination and resolution of the Governments, but also 011 the interest and support of the peoples of the world. For this reason they have urged that responsibility for critical decisions, as well as for subsequent action, should be spread more widely over all member nations of the organisation, and not limited to the extent proposed—to the security council. The New Zealand delegation wants to see every member of the organisation guaranteed a proportionate voice in decisions. SAN FRANCISCO TALKS POSITION OF POLAND (Reed. 8.10 p.m.) LONDON, April 17 According to the Associated Press correspondent in Moscow, the Soviet Government has renewed, its demand for the Polish Provisional Government's participation in the San Francisco Conference. A statement by the Russian Tass Agency about Poland's representation at the conference was broadcast by the Moscow radio early this morning. After recalling that Russia had approached the United States, Britain and China on the question of inviting the Provisional Polish Government, the statement added that according to reports the British and American Governments had replied saying they did not consider it possible to invite representatives of the Provisional Government until its reorganisation was completed. The Tass Agency said that the Soviet Government- continued to insist on its suggestion about t' ie need of Poland, represented by the Provisional Government, taking part in the conference. The Soviet press has not yet published the news that M. Molotov is going to San Francisco, and M. Molotov has not left Moscow, says the New York Times correspondent in Moscow. Details of his route cannot be disclosed, but he will be at the opening of the conference The move undoubtedly represents the Russian Government's desiro to demonstrate to America Soviet intentions to co-operate in endeavours for a world peace.

THE MAGPIE MENACE Efforts to have the magpie removed from the list of protected birds are to be made bv the Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand. Members of the society at the annual meeting in Wellington agreed that if the magpie was allowed to increase much further there would be few small native birds left. The president, Captain E. V. Sanderson, said one obstacle was that the Canterbury farmers were in favour of the bird.' He had observed many instances of magpie attacks on small native birds and was inclined to agree with the view held by Dr Cockayne that no form of animal or plant life could bo introduced into a country without affecting the existing native life.