SYDNEY CONFERENCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27385, 10 May 1950, Page 7

SYDNEY CONFERENCE

South-east Asia Problems NO CONCRETE RESULTS EXPECTED NZP A—Copyright Rec 7 p.m. SYDNEY, May 9. The Commonwealth Conference on South-east Asia, which will open in Sydney on Monday, will put the spotlight on one of the world’s danger areas, says the Daily Telegraph, “But have the delegates any power from their Governments except to talk? ” the paper asks. “The leader of the United Kingdom delegation, Lord Macdonald, has already made it fairly clear that the British Government does not expect any concrete results,” the newspaper says. “There seems little chance of immediately turning the Spender plan from a hopeful idea into a reality. Imagination does not seem to be playing a leading part in Commonwealth planning in South-east Asia. Neither is there any sense of urgency, except perhaps in Australia, towards the problems of that area. In Australia's near north the Reds are moving so fast that in six months’ time any plan for South-east Asia may be too late.” The Sydney Morning Herald comments: “The South-east Asian picture is one of uncertainty and instability. How and where the Communist tide can be stemmed are debatable questions. But there is no doubt at all that failing strong combined action by the West much of the vital region will fall to Communism by default, with incalculable effects on the balance of power in Asia and to the heavy detriment of Australia’s strategic position. Plans to give economic aid and guidance to South-east Asia must come to nought unless the armed forces of Communism can be contained within or near to their present limits.”