TERMS TO JAPAN

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25344, 27 October 1945, Page 7

TERMS TO JAPAN

DOMINIONS' DEMAND SUPPORT IN BRITAIN HOUSE OF LOKDS AGUKES LONDON, Oct. 2.5 A strong plea for British backing for the Australian and New Zealand demand to be consulted about the imposition of surrender terms on Japan and the general settlement in the Far East was made by speakers in the House of Lords. Lord Den man, who was GovernorGeneral of Australia from 1911 to 191-1, said: "The history of modern war has no record so terrible as the Japanese treatment of our war prisoners. It is all very well for reverend prelates to denounce the use of the atomic bomb, but the bomb saved many thousands of our war prisoners from being massacred or from the lingering terror of starvation and disease. I believe Japanese cruelty was deliberate and studied to humiliate white men and women in the eyes of Asiatics. It is a thing we cannot afford to ignore. Criminals Should be Tried "I do not advocate a policy of revenge, but the criminals who committed atrocities ought to be hunted down and brought to trial. Policies are being framed and decisions taken in the Far Last that will affect not only the nations whose borders rest on the Pacific Ocean, but also the future of the whole world. In the British Commonwealth none is so vitallv aliected as Australia and New Zealand."

Lord Dcnman moved a motion calling attention to the vital interest of the peoples of Australia and New Zealand in the manner in which the surrender terms imposed on Japan are carried out, and recording the detestation with which Japanese treatment of war prisoners and civilian captives is regarded by the British people. *Lord Cranborne's View "We cannot afford to gamble on a change in Japanese policy," said discount Cranborne, former Dominions' Secretary, supporting the resolution. "Any weakness on our part- would not easilv be forgiven." He asked for a Government statement as soon as possible on its policy toward Japan. Viscount Maugham, also supporting the motion, said: "We owe Australia and New Zealand a great debt, and it is up to us to help them in every possible way." Lord Croft, formerly Under-Secretary of State for War, emphasised the tremendous contributions Australia and New Zealand made to victory, considering their populations and resources. Services Appreciated

The Dominions' Secretafy, Lord Addison, on behalf of the Government, spoke appreciatively of the vital services rendered bv Australia and New Zealand in helping*to stem the tide of Japanese invasion and also their services in Africa and Crete. He was sure that Canadians, without depreciation of their own remarkable contribution, would agree with that. . . Lord Addison added that Britain was in daily consultation with the Dominions. The British-Dominion association was the most remarkable the world had ever seen and it_was the Government s aim to consolidate it still furthci if that, were possible. He shared Iho hope that- the far Kastern Commission would not hesitate to speak its mind and make recommendations that would lead the Allies to pursue a policy through which Japan would be effectively deprived ol any power ill future to commit such abominations. Daily Consultations The termination of Japan's power to make aggressive war should be perpetuated. The termination of the cruelties that had been experienced in the past three years was vital to the well-being and even the continuance o the British Commonwealth. shall and do keep this before us," he added, "and practically over since 1 took office it has been a subject oi daily consultation with other members of the Commonwealth." Lord Addison expressed the hope that Japanese war criminals would be more speedily brought to book than the European criminals. A great mass of evidence was coming in daily trom liberated prisoners of war and internees. The House of Lords adopted Lord Denman's motion. RESTRICTIONS LIFTED EXPORTS FROM AUSTRALIA n?<Y(l. 5.35 p.m.) CANBERRA, Oct. 20 The Federal Government has gazetted the lifting of restrictions on the export, of about 500 items of goods. The -Minister of Trade and Customs, Senator R. V. Keane, said this action was part' of the continuation of the* Government policy to lift all wartime restrictions as soon as possible.