CLAIMS THAT EVATT DICTATES AUSTRALIAN FOREIGN POLICY

Wanganui Chronicle, 30 November 1948, Page 5

CLAIMS THAT EVATT DICTATES AUSTRALIAN FOREIGN POLICY

(From C. R. Mcntiplay) (N.Z.P.A.—Special—Copyright)

SYDNEY, Nov. 29 (Recd. 7.30pm). Australia’s foreign policy and methods of its administration are causing dissatisfaction among members of the Federal Opposition and a considerable section of informed opinion.

The Opposition, which has fought without avail to secure a full debate on foreign policy before the House rises for the Christmas recess, charges that in the absence of Mr. Evatt there is no Minister in Canberra capable of dealing ably with questions raised in such a debate.

Observers who have examined all the statements made by Mr. Chifley on foreign affairs claim that he has never given a direct reply when asked if Mr. Evatt consulted Cabinet before committing Australia to important decisions on foreign policy. Mr. Chifley has said a number of times that he keeps in close touch with Mr. Evatt, and it is known that telephone lines have been used frequently for discussions between Mr. Evatt and Mr. Chifley or other Ministers- But this does not dispose of the Opposition contention that Australian policy overseas is dictated by Mr. Evatt alone.

Recent happenings have caused some alarm outside Opposition circles as to whether the Australian policy is drifting apart from that of Britain. The attempt of Mr. Evatt and Mr. Lie to settle the Berlin crisis was regarded by many here as an infusion of colonial commonsense into international diplomacy, but a strong body of opinion deplored it as an unwarranted intrusion into the affairs of the major Western Powers and as something of impertinence. The action of Australia m voting with the Russian bloc on the question of the admission of Finland and Italy into United Nations has also caused concern among people who believe that Western solidarity is the only answer to the threat of Communist domination.

Infuriated by the .series of gags which have effectually disposed of attempts to discuss international policy Opposition members are saying that the Federal Parliament is the only one in the democratic world which is not given the opportunity of shaping or even discussing .foreign policy. One authority states that high policy moves made by Australian representatives are often a complete surprise to the Australian Government. He adds that Mr. Evatt has an extraordinary amount of lattitude because, as an extremely competent and literate Australian addicted to taking courageous stands in international diplomatic circles, he has many patriotic supporters in the Commonwealth, and that neither Mr. Chifley nor othermembers of the Government have any apparent interest in foreign affairs. To all such accusations Mr. Chifley has replied that he made up his mind long ago that Australia would express her own view clearly and firmly on matters which came before international conferences. He has not answered the other question as to who determines the Australian view.