INCREASING IMPORTANCE OF SOUTH-EAST ASIA

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

INCREASING IMPORTANCE OF SOUTH-EAST ASIA

“The interests of the British Commonwealth and of the whole world depend upon dealing urgently with the situation in South and South-east Asia,” said the Australian Minister of ■External Affairs, Mr P. C. Spender. The dining room at Admiralty House, Sydney, the residence of the Governor-General, where the conference is being held, was crowded with delegates and advisers and a rigid security check was maintained. Mr Spender, as chairman, warned: “It cannot be said that the situation in recent months has altered favourably. South-east Asia is emerging as an area of ever increasing importance in world affairs, and, indeed, as its main preoccupation. It is clear that long-term planning is essential, but we must consider what immediate action we can take. “Determined influences are at work to increase the degree of economic chaos in which the world found itself after the Second World War. At Colombo it was recognised that in South-east Asia there are many conditions favourable to those whose efforts are directed to disruption—low standards of living, dislocated economies, and difficulties arising from the growth of new national Governments. The interests of the whole world lie in a South and South-east Asia which are stable and prosperous.” Mr Spender said that five of the seven countries represented at the talks were in the South-east Asian area. Of the others, Britain had important interests there, while Canada was participating as an expression of interest in the economic development Of the particular countries. The economic plan should provide the greatest feasible degree of mutual assistance based upon the national plans of each country. It must be practical but neither greater in volume nor diverse in extent than the existing indigenous level of productivity, education, technical efficiency and administrative capacity could permit. Stressing that the solution of the problem would not be easy, Mr Spender said there were no readyjnade guides. In contrast to Europe, there was a paucity of statistics and a great divergence in political and social developments. “ Our aim,” he continued, “ is to promote the welfare and peace of the people in South and South-east Asia. Nevertheless, we cannot avoid sounding a note of warning against aggression, no matter in what guise it may appear, which attempts to take advantage of the new forces of nationalism , and their accompanying changes in this region. In the beginning, the requirements of the area are for a fairly limited rate of assistance based on a level of internal investment which we hope will rise steadily. Even at the early stages the level of assistance required is undoubtedly well beyond tfte capacity of the British Commonwealth alone to provide.” The leader of the Ceylon delegation, Mr J. R. Jayawardene; said it was realised at the-Colombo Conference that the economic condition of South and South-east Asia had become one of the major factors to be reckoned with in considering the future progress of humanity. It was important to aid the peoples of ancient cultures to regain comparative prosperi.y instead of the extreme poverty occasioned by a low level of agricultural production and the unfair distribution of wealth. National development needed external assistance in the form of finance, capital goods, and technical assistance. At the same time, it was vital to guard against any deterioration of the present living standards in these countries, such as might occur with a fall of world .prices. There must be no interference with the independence and internal affairs of those T?ho sought aid. Sir A. Ramaswami Mudaliar, of India, referred to the emergence of India, Pakistan and Geylon as sovereign States, and expressed satisfaction that Mr Spender and others had

stressed the importance of preserving the independence of the new Governments. He earnestly hoped the conference would succeed “It is a matter of considerable gratification to us,” he added, “ that countries like Australia and New Zealand have felt a new urge to help in the development and sustenance of South-east Asia.” If the peoples of South-east Asia were left to themselves their present standard of living would become even worse, dragging down those of more stable States. With the assistance of the Western Powers, a sane and wise plan could be carried out from which all would benefit. Chaudry Nazir Ahmed Khan, leader of the Pakistan delegation, said that a vast mass of humanity was living in South-east Asia in conditions which should not be allowed to continue. The situation called for immediate action. He was glad to find the Commonwealth countries now engaged in seeking remedies for these economic ills. In devising ways and means to guarantee these people a rising standard of living, the conference should earnestly seek the co-operation and assistance of countries outside the Commonwealth, especially of the United States. Pakistan would be prepared to render such help as might be possible, commensurate with her own limited resources and her own urgent requirements. Mr R. W. Mayhew, of Canada, said that something must be done to assure that the aspirations of the people of South and South-east Asia for a better life were not disappointed. He warned that in helping needy countries, the Commonwealth nations must ensure that they were able to go forward without sacrificing any of the freedoms so recently won. Lord Macdonald, leader of the United Kingdom delegation, said he welcomed the note of confidence and determination sounded by all delegates. There were long distances between members of the Commonwealth, but the speeches showed how near they, were to each other. Britain was proud of the part she played in the emergence of India, Pakistan and Ceylon as free States, and he hastened to assure delegates that they need not fear any attempt to undermine their political freedom. The population of the South-east Asia regions constituted over a-quarter of that of the whole world. He hoped the conference would find ways and means to raise the standard of living of those people, which had been far too low for far too long.

After all the delegates had spoken, Mr Spender said it was clear that there was common agreement on the needs and urgency of the task. He believed the conference could lay the foundations for the development of the area, which would be of tremendous importance to mankind. He could not indicate Australia’s plan at this point, but would say Australia was acutely aware both of the need and of its obligations. He would like to see the bringing of security, stability and economic independence to all places in the area, because only in that way could democratic principles survive.