New Zealand Firmly Beside Britain

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26677, 24 January 1948, Page 7

New Zealand Firmly Beside Britain

P.A. • CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 23. The emphatic view that the New Zealand Government and the New Zealand people would stand solidly beside the United Kingdom, as representing democracy and the self-determination of all nations against any form of dictatorship, was expressed in Christchurch to-day by the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, when commenting on the announcement by the British Foreign Secretary, Mr Bevin, of the intention to build up a western European security system. , “ Not having seen Mr Bevin’s full statement, I cannot express an opinion on all his observations or the details * of the western European security system which are indicated in the brief summary of the speech I have before me,” said Mr Fraser. • There have occasionally been points of difference at international conferences between the various nations of the British Commonwealth, the most recent being the divergent votes of the dominions and the United Kingdom on

the question of the future government of Palestine. “Other points of difference may arise from time to time, but when it comes to the United Kingdom Government standing as it does, four-square for democracy and self-determination for all nations against any form of dictatorship whatever, then the New Zealand Government and the New Zealand people will stand solidly beside the United Kingdom, whatever circumstances may arise. “That the decision announced by Mr Bevin is serious—one possibly fraught with unseen consequences—is plain. In view of the attitude adopted by Russia and her associate states during the recent conferences it would appear that no other course was possible, if democracy and freedom in all democratic countries is to prevail. “ The policy of the British Government, as announced by Mr Bevin, will receive the closest examination and most careful consideration on the part of the New Zealand Government,” Mr Fraser added.