INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23288, 25 August 1945, Page 4

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

No Quarrels With Britain Declaration By Mr Fraser (N.Z.P.AJ WELLINGTON, Aug. 24. New Zealand would in no circumstances quarrel with the British Government on international affairs, declared the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Eraser) in the House of Representatives this morning. Mr Fraser was replying to Mr E. P. Aderman (Opposition, New Plymouth) who gave notice to ask whether New Zealand had made a request to the British Government, in association with, or independently of Australia, to be a signatory to the instrument of surrender by Japan. If not in association with Australia, what was the Government's view of Australia's attitude in the light of the Canberra agreement? Did the Minister agree that Australia was the only “white nation’’ in the Pacific entitled to representations? Did he share the dismay expressed that the Labour Government in Britain should be so offhanded about the claims of Australia and New Zealand lor representation? Mr Fraser said that up to the present moment there were no indications that Australia would be a signatory any more than New Zealand to the peace settlement in Japan. The lour Great Powers and possibly France would sign, but not other countries. This was no reflection on Australia or New Zealand, which would be represented at the surrender. The. present British Government’s foreign policy did not differ from that of its predeMr Fraser said he was concerned above everything that our unity with the United Kingdom should be maintained. “Australia and New Zealand have protested against any exclusion in the Pacific, but we were not going to quarrel with the United Kingdom, even if she could not always extend to us, owing to international conditions, the equality we would like."