BIG FIVE'S VETO

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25217, 1 June 1945, Page 8

BIG FIVE'S VETO

ADOPTION PROBABLE DISSOLVING OLD LEAGUE (Reed. 8.30 p.m.) SAN FRANCISCO, May 80 The United Nations conference today began discussing how to jput teeth into the new League of Nations, also how to keep the Allied coalition functioning between the end of this conference and the, ratification of the world security charter. The New York Times correspondent says it is generally assumed, in spite of the opposition to the Big Five's veto on peaceful procedures, that the veto will remain and will be adopted unwillingly by two-thirds of the delegations. "Wide Open Forum" The correspondent in an earlier message says that as a result of the decision of the technical committee, the new league assembly will be a wide open forum for discussion of world problems. The Big Five were defeated when they sought to limit the assembly's scope in discussion to international affairs, which would affect the maintenance of international peace and security. The United States has now approved the creation of at least some interim machinery to arrange for taking over the functions of the League of Nations, to deal with problems in preparing for the first meeting of the General Assembly and Security Council and lo make recommendations about the permanent seat of the world organisation. The Big Five are understood to have agreed that the steps must be taken to speed up military agreements which will put the necessary forces and facilities at the Security Council's disposal. French Plan Rejected The Big Five's technical committee rejected the French proposal that the land forces of the powerful nations should be permanently in strategic areas, such as the Ruhr Valley, but have accepted-in principle the proposal to write into the charter a stipulation that all nations should grant the right of passage through their territories when requested. An earlier message says that in spite of a strong battle with the Big Five opposition, the Australian amendment, broadly increasing the powers of the assembly, was passed by the committee on political and security functions by 27 to 11. The amendment empowers the assembly to discuss ''any matter within the sphere of international relations." New Zealand and Canada supported Australia, but South Africa opposed. The San Francisco Chronicle points out that the vote on this issue is significant, inasmuch as it indicates how the small nations are lining up in support of Australia on the important veto question. BRITISH COAL MINES STEPPING UP PRODUCTION NEW CENTRAL AUTHORITY (Reed. 5.35 p.m.) _ May 30 Private enterprise will continue to run the coal industry in Britain, the Minister of Fuel and Power, Major Lloyd George stated in the House of Commons. To secure maximum efficiency a new central authority would be set up with power to amalgamate collieries under compulsion. Where efficiency could be increased by amalgamation it would be insisted on. The total output of coal had fallen by nearly 50,000,000 tons a year since the outbreak of war, but it was hoped that 12,000 underground miners would be released for the industry by the end of September. Major Lloyd George told a questioner that none of the 1000 German prisoners of war in Britain who were miners had started work in the British coal mines. The matter was under discussion and some of the men might be utilised to extract coal in Germany, which would be a great assistance to Supreme Headquarters. FUTURE OF AUSTRIA SEVERANCE FROM GERMANY (Reed. 5.35 p.m.) LONDON, May 30 The British policy was that Austria should be severed from Germany as soon as possible, said the Foreign Secretary, Mr Eden, in answering questions in the House of Commons. The provisional Austrian Government had not been recognised by Britain, as the British section of the Allied Commission, which should now be in Vienna, had not had an opportunity to study the position and report to the Government. PROTEST FROM MOSCOW ANTI-RUSSIAN CAMPAIGN (Reed. 5.35 p.m.) LONDON, May 30 The Moscow radio's political commentator, broadcasting in English, accused., certain sections of the British and American press of poisoning the whole international atmosphere with a furious anti-Russian campaign. "The Hearst, MeCormick and Patterson newspapers could well take the place of Goebbels' press," said the commentator, "The American decision to allow all newspapers. without exception, to enter occupied Germany is certainly a reason for uneasiness. We hope the anti-Rus-sian campaign will stop." TYPHUS IN PARIS MANY RETURNED PRISONERS (Reed. 5.35 p.m.) LONDON, May 80 Typhus has broken out in the Paris area, says the British United Press correspondent in the French capital. The Ministry of Health reports 66 cases, of which 64 are returned political prisoners. The Ministry is doing its utmost to prevent the spread of the disease, hut says it has not the necessary medicines to handle the epidemic. The authorities have forbidden voluntary workers to enter the prisoners' reception centre, because the majority of the workers have refused anti-typhus injections. WAR CRIMINALS TALKS ON TRIAL PROCEDURE (Reed. 11.10 p.m.) LONDON, May 81 The United Nations Crimes Commission opened its three-day conference in London today. Representatives of 16 Allied Governments are present and they will discuss methods for the trial of war criminals. • The British Government has had very useful consultations on war criminals with Mr Justice Jackson (United States), which have resulted in great progress being made, according to a statement by the Foreign Secretary, Mr Fden. in the House of Commons. Mr Justice Jackson has had to return to the United States to attend the closing sessions of the Supreme Court. In a statement yesterday he said the preparation of the American case would not be interrupted, and he hoped to return in about a fortnight. He had conferred with Sir Maxwell Fyfe, AttorneyGeneral, so that, the British and American cases would be co-ordinated, "At no time has any substantial difference of opinion developed as to procedures," said Mr Justice Jackson. "We are progressing rapidly." VEGETABLES FOR BRITAIN meed, e.lO p.m.) OTTAWA, May 31 Under an agreement, between the British Ministry of Food and the Canadian Department of Agriculture Britain will purchase nearly £2,500,000 worth of this year's Canadian vegetable crop. The purchase' will include- dried beans, dehydrated potatoes, and. cab- ; bage, carrote and turnips.