Sort of "Larrikin Strain" In Foreign Policy of Average Australian
Evatt Seen as Game Battler Against World Powers (From E. G. Mentiplay. Special Correspondent—N.Z.P.A.) Received 8.25 p.m. SYDNEY, Sept. 29 Though during the opening days of the present Parliament session Australia’s foreign policy had received more attention than has been directed its way for years, it is doubtful whether the average Australian is any clearer on the attitude of his diplomats to overseas affairs. He knows that the foreign policy of the Commonwealth wanders somewhere between those of Great Britain and the United States, but when asked for more particular information he will invariably shrug his shoulders and pass the matter over to Mr. Evatt.
Out of the smoke of wordy conflict between Mr. Menzies aod Mr. Chifley during the debate on external affairs a few hard facts emerged.
The Australian citizen has been informed that Mr. Evatt, now chairman of the United Nations Special Committee on Palestine,, personally favours federation for that country instead of partition, but that Australia Will follow the British lead. In the matter of the Italian Treaty and the Korean question the Australian knows that Mr. Evatt defended American proposals against Russian opposition, but correspondents deel that these matters are being discussed prematurely.
The Australian who keeps abreast of the situation knows that Mr. Evatt and the Commonwealth favour continuation of the Balkans Commission and that Australia is prepared to support delimitation of the veto as proposed by Mr. Marshall. It is not surprising that the name of Mr. Evatt has become linked indivisioly with foreign policy. Just how closely they have become knitted was indicated during a spirited attack by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr.
Menzies, during the foreign affairs debate on policy.
“Estimates for the External Affairs Department should be classified under the publicity vote for the Minister in charge of the Department” was only one of his sallies. He quoted Paul’ Hasluck, who rcenly resigned from the position as councillor of the Australian delegation at the United Nations, as saying: “There has been a sort of larrikin strain in Australia’s foreign policy—a disposition to throw stones at street lights just because they are bright,” and repeated the assertion that Hasluck resigned because of his belief that Australia’s foreign policy was the personal possession of Mr Evatt.
In no less impassioned defence Mr. Chifley alleged that jealousy of Mr. Evatts’ success had inspired criticism of his policy. Generally the debate produced much heat but very little light for the man in the street, who is anxious to learn where his Governmeit stands. The Opposition was outgunned, but delivered several telling shots, as where Mr. Menzies stated that the policy over the Netherlands East Indies would lead to self-extermination.
To the average Australian, who sees Mr. Evatt as a game battler against world powers, however, his mana has never been greater.
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Bibliographic details
Wanganui Chronicle, 30 September 1947, Page 6
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478Sort of "Larrikin Strain" In Foreign Policy of Average Australian Wanganui Chronicle, 30 September 1947, Page 6
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