SYDNEY CONFERENCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27390, 16 May 1950, Page 5

SYDNEY CONFERENCE

Commonwealth Solidarity Demonstrated VAST PROBLEM OF ASIA New Zealand Press Association—Copyright Rec. 7.10 p.m. SYDNEY, May 15. “ This conference demonstrates in a positive sense the solidarity of the unique family group to which we belong,” said the leader of the New Zealand delegation, Mr F. W. Doidge, at the opening session of the British Commonwealth Consultative Committee on South and South-east Asia this morning. Mr Doidge said: “The very fact of us meeting again so soon after Colombo bears out the simple truth: We find our strength in a common pool. We realise that not one of us can, in this troubled world, stand alone. It is our association that makes our Commonwealth great. It is necessary that we be realistic in our approach to the problems we discuss at this conference. “At Colombo we recognised that the urgent need was to stem the tide of Communism which threatens to engulf Asia. If Communist encroachment is to be halted by other than- military means then not only those of us assembled at this conference but also other freedomloving countries must concentrate on the vast problem of lifting, the standard of living and putting an end to the poverty which exists on a mass scale in so many parts of Asia.”

Mr Doidge continued: “The magnitude Qf the task is frightening. The mere spending of money is not a solution of the problem. Great Britain, since the war ended, has spent £500,000,000 in Asia. The United Nations and the International Bank have provided vast sums. The results have been limited. As The Times said in a recent editorial: ‘Economic and technical help for Asia means a slow process at best, with no certainty of success, yet it is the soundest way.’ “ This conference must give thought to the manner in which we' can coordinate with the systems set up by the United Nations and under the Truman plan. Our scheme must be designed to supplement and not overlap. Our task is simplified to some extent perhaps by the fact that we shall concentrate on South and South-east Asia whilst other schemes are global in nature and must, of necessity, be more slow moving in practice. “ If we are to succeed at this conference our objectives must be firm and well defined. Positive and constructive methods are needed if we are to make progress, but we must realise that there is no magic way open to us. We can help only where the ways open to us are sensible and possible. Those we seek to help must show the disposition to. help themselves. Any help we give must be within the prudent capabilities of our own resources.” Mr Doidge continued: “ Speaking for a country like my own, I must stress the importance of that last observation. New Zealand can help,technically. Increased production is the great need of Asia’s starving and under-nourished millions. Production can be improved by introducing pesticides, better seeds for sowings, better methods of stock breeding, and simple aids to irrigation. The people of Asia can be helped in the way of education, health and hygiene, scientific research, forestry work, and engineering. We

can help in those directions, but wei can help only within the limits of our resources. “We view the present world situation realistically. We in New Zealand would rather plan for peace than prepare for war, but our sense of realism has led us to adopt a system of universal military training. This month some thousands of our young men go into camp for their required period of annual compulsory training. That scheme will, over a period, cost us more in New Zealand than the total sum which has been suggested as the likely cost of the inauguration of this Commonwealth economic scheme. “I mention this matter in order that it may be understood that New Zealand’s heavy financial commitments for defence make it impossible for her to do more than offer technical and skilled assistance in seeking to solve the problem now before us."