N.Z. GIVES WAY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 13, 16 January 1946, Page 5

N.Z. GIVES WAY

WITHDRAWS IN FAVOUR OF YUGOSLAVIA WARM PRAISE VOICED (Special Correspondent—N.Z.P.A.) Recd. 6 p.m. London, Jan. 14. New Zealand occupied the limelight for the second time at the General Assembly of the. United Nations when the meeting resumed io decide who should be elected 1o Ihe eighteenth position on the Economic and Social Council. Mr. Eraser immediately went, io the rostrum and declared that Ihe Dominion would withdraw in favour of Yugoslavia,

His action drew warm praise from Senator Connally (United States), Mr. Noel Baker (United Kingdom), and M. Kosanovie (Yugoslavia), and for a quarter of an hour the conference listened to a succession of tributes to the Dominion not only on her war record, but also her social conditions.

Though he withdrew, it is understood that Mr. Fraser gained the important point that New Zealand received virtual endorsement not only from Britain and America, but aiso Russia, that she will be elected to ihe Council for three years as from September. Had the Dominion been elected to-day, she would have held the seat for nine months only. It had been thought that Australia after receiving New Zealand’s support in being elected to the Security Council on Saturday would later that day come forward to support New Zealand’s election on the Social and Economic Council. Australia, however, was aLo a candidate and Mr. Makin being absent, th« delegation had no authority to withdraw. Probably due largely to Australia’s election to the Security Council, she polled only seven votes for the Social and Economic Council and had she withdrawn in favour of New Zealand the latter Dominion would probaoly have secured the necessary two-tliirds majority. It is understood that Dr. Evatt telephoned this morning, stating that New Zealand's election to this Council should be most fully supported by the Australian delegation, but this call tame too late. Mr. Fraser had already mtxde Tiis decision after a talk with the British and Americans.

In making the statement that New Zealand would withdraw in favour of Yugoslavia, Mr. Fraser said: "There have already been several ballots to determine Whether Yugoslavia or New Zealand should be elected. It looks as if the voting could go on interminably, and it is quite clear if either country were no longer a candidate the other would get the requisite two-thirds of the votes. On Saturday I offered, if it had been constitutional, to agreed to the drawing of lots. I viewed with dismay the other possibility, no matter how important the issue was to my country, and it is important because of our obligations under U.N.R.R.A., because of our export trade, because of trade agreements, because of financial agreements, all very important to the life of a country which has a large overseas trade. “At the same time there is something more important, apart from the fact that representatives of New Zealand try to put themselves in the other fellow’s place. We try to understand the problems of other countries. We have endeavoured to understand the position of Yugoslavia, and we have nothing but friendship for that country. Apart from these matters. Ihe overwhelmingly important matter is the effectiveness of this Assembly, and I can see if we went on voting indefinitely and interminably, we would lose credit with the peoples of the world. It is more important that the status of this As embly should be high in the opinion of the world than that any nation should compete with any other or try to jostle any other out of a particular position.” Believing that he was interpreting the spirit of his country, said Mr. Fraser, he withdrew in favour of Yugoslavia. "In doing that, I realise that I am placing my country in a weak position. I realise I shall be subjected to a considerable amount of adverse criticism, but the position of New Zealand will be one of realisation that unity is more important than anything else in the position in which the world is placed at the present moment. New Zealand retires on this occasion, hut will stand on ;ome future occasion for a position that we value.” CHORUS OF PRAISE

Mr. Fraser was succeeded at the rostrum by Senator Connally, who said: "It'is most gratiiying io the United States delegation to witness the gracious and magnanimous action of our old friend, Premier Fra er o" New Zealand, in sanctioning the selection of Yugoslavia. We congratulate him on the part of his country. New Zealand had a gallant and heroic part in the war on one of the dangerous fronts early’ in the struggle. We attribute the action of New Zealand to a generous spirit of collaboration and harmony which we hope will dominate and control the future actions of this organisation.

It is a splendid and magnificent demonstration of willingness to cooperate in advancing and promoting the high purposes and noole objective: of the United Nations. We salute you, New Zealand. We shake hands with Premier Fraser on this outstanding and magnificent ar’.”

M. Kosanovie, in thanking Kir. Fraser, said: "I. am sorry this had to happen lor New Zealand tn withdraw

I hat. heroic country which contributed so much in the common struggle against the enemy and which gave us so great economic help in ihe recon 1 ruction, hut 1 would not agree with Mr. Fra-er that this withdrawal will put his count i y in a

weakened position. This withdrawal gives a contribution to the good reputation of New Zealand, but much more important is the manifestation of harmony in this parliament, of nations and manifestation of solidarity. Every manifestation of solidarity is

a contribution to future peace. Every sign of disintegration is a help to the forces of evil. Yugoslavia is one ol ihose countries which made great sacrifices in the war. We are one of the most destroyed countries, and so to Yugoslavia solidarity is the best manifestation of the future.” TRIBI TE FROM BRITAIN Mr. Noel Baker expressed Britain's friend hip lor the Yugoslav people and appreciation of the colossal sacrifices they had made in the war. He cengra ulated her on her election to the Council. "But my main purpose is |o ...d(l s word Bom his Majesty's Gu'.i'i nniei t Io I host* spoken by Inc United Hiatts delegation in appreciation of the generous and .statesmanlike* action of Mr. Fraser, and say to li’nn, we appreciate a' H full value tin- high-minded altitude he ha.*-lai-ten and Ihe noble reasons he Jias advanced. 1 want also Io slate the reasons why we voted for New Zealand (on Saturday), and why we hope rhe may become a member of the Council at. an early election in the future. If wo look al. the past, NewZealand played a very great part in Ihe conflict against Nazism ano. Fascism. New Zealand was in Iho "ar lh.ee minutes after Hitler’s chai-