CLOSER BOND

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 59, 12 March 1943, Page 3

CLOSER BOND

NEW ZEALAND AND U.S. NO APPROACH FOR BASES Wellington, March 11. “It would be a matter tor the very deepest regret if anything said in this House or out of it should go the least way towards severing the bond of friendship or militating against the comradeship that every one of us feels in our heart and soul for our American comrades,” said the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Peter Fraser, in the House of Representatives last night. Referring to recent statements on Pacific bases, the Prime Minister said that any such questions should be brought up in a spirit of friendliness and helpfulness and that the great contribution the United States was making to the cause of humanity should be properly appreciated. Mr. F. W. Doidge (National, Tauranga), who recently discussed the question of bases, said that was done so far as he was concerned. The Prime Minister added that he would not like a word said that would do anything other than bring New Zealand and America still closer together. There had been certain remarks in newspapers that might well have been left unsaid. If anybody in the United States created an erroneous impression that anyone in authority there would do anything unjust to New Zealand that person was guilty of dereliction of his duty. The isolationist Chicago Tribune had been trying to work mischief and carry on its isolationist policy. They had seen the falsehood published about New Zealand the other day and the title given to the article. That had been replied to effectively and a reply had also been made to the very mistaken gentleman who had visited New Zealand and gone away witn such false impressions. Mr. Fraser added that he believed the President of the United States was incapable of a mean action or of fostering any tyrannical policy. He believed in the principles of the Atlantic Charter and would stick to them right through. Mr. Fraser said that the strengthening of the bonds between New Zealand and the United States did not mean a weakening of the link with Britain. No American citizen expected that and they would have contempt for us if it did mean tnat. No approaches had been made officially on the question of Pacific bases up to the present moment. Mr. Doidge: Have there been any negotiations with Mr. Nash? The Prime Minister: Not as far as I am aware.

Mr. Nash, continued the Prime Minister, had expressed his opinion to newspaper correspondents that New Zealand would be prepared to discuss the matter on a reciprocal basis, but the idea of coming into New Zealand had never crossed the mind of the American people. “This is a sovereign country, like the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and the United States, and no other sovereign country would think of coming into this country. The idea would be preposterous,” said the Prime Minister.

The American President and people recognised that in respect of the Pacific islands held under mandate New Zealand had a trusteeship that could be abrogated. New Zealand also had islands as part of her territory. If at any time there was a question 01 setting up bases for the United Kingdom, the United States, the Netherlands. China, Russia, or any other country, obviously the thing to do was to get together and discuss the matter on a fair basis. Mr. Fraser said he had the utmost confidence that that would be the attitude of the United States.