AMERICA AND NEW ZEALAND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24415, 28 September 1940, Page 10

AMERICA AND NEW ZEALAND

There could scarcely have been a more appropriate time then the present for the inauguration in New Zealand of a section of the BritishAmerican Co-operation Movement. Never in the history of the two great English-speaking peoples have the ideals on which their way of life is based been more seriously challenged than they are now; never has there been a fuller realisation between them that in an accord, both spiritual and material, lies the fate of democracy in a world threatened by an obnoxious type of dictatorship. For the people of New Zealand, as of Australia, where the Cooperation Movement is strongly establishing itself, there are particular and practical reasons for exploring every means of extending the collaboration of the British peoples with those of the United States. These dominions cannot but recognise that even while the battle of Britain is raging in north-western Europe, there is the danger of a new theatre of war being opened up in the Pacific area, which would present the most immediate danger to their interests, possibly to their shores. The new aggressiveness of Japan in the region of the South China Sea, sometimes called East Asia, is a disturbing development. Japanese success in the present operations in Indo-China would extend the influence of this Power menacingly close to British Malaya and the Singapore base, which represents in a sense the first line of defence of Australia and New Zealand. The preoccupation of the British Navy in the Atlantic area and in the North Sea and English Channel, standing by to resist any attempt at invasion of the British Isles, means that the naval strength which can be spared to resist attempts to disturb the status quo in the Pacific is to some extent limited. In these circumstances it is significant that the United States Government has made it clear that it would view gravely the effort by a hostile Power to take advantage of the situation

in Europe by furthering its designs in the East. In his last warning to Japan, moreover, the United States Secretary of State hinted that “ other peaceful Governments ” which shared the American view might be prepared to join in resisting opportunistic schemes. It has become increasingly clear that, in exerting a quietening influence in the Pacific area, the United States cannot well act alone. Mr W. M, Hughes, the Australian Attorney-general, recently put the position plainly when he said that the United States navy was tied to within range of its bases, and powerless to exert a considerable influence in the Far East unless nearer bases were obtained. The possibility of Singapore being made available to the American navy in a crisis is at present a matter of speculation. Through cooperation among the Pacific nations other bases could be provided which, designed for American needs, might be of greater service than Singapore. The question of the extent of mutual assistance which might be obtained among the free English-speaking nations in the Pacific area is not one merely of sentimental and moral ties. The Prime Minister of the Dominion, in his speech at Wellington on Thursday, referred to “certain negotiations” which are proceeding, and emphasised his Government’s readiness to reach an understanding making for peace and security for the democratic nations. There is a basis for Anglo-American co-operation in which Australia and New Zealand are vitally concerned. The movement that has been inaugurated in Wellington is an outward and visible expression of the interest of the Dominion in the establishment of this co-operation of the two great democracies.