MR FRASER’S VIEW ON INDIA’S CHANGE

Wanganui Chronicle, 29 April 1949, Page 5

MR FRASER’S VIEW ON INDIA’S CHANGE

“Creditable Achievement”

LONDON, April 27.—“ The results of the Prime Ministers’ meeting just concluded mark yet another phase m the development of the British Commonwealth of Nations,” said the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Mr. Fraser, in an interview with the New Zealand Press Association at the conclusion of the conference*. “It is, I consider, a creditable achievement to have devised a method by which the Indian people can remain within the family of nations of the Commonwealth.

“It is necessary to stress the de-1 sirability of keeping within the Commonwealth the great nation of India with its population of 350 million people. “So far as New Zeaipnd is concerned we would have preferred to continue to accept the ties and form of association existing at present, but obviously conditions that are suitable to one member of the Commonwealth are not equally acceptable to others, and the declaration that has been agreed upon today does in fact represent the maximum amount of agreement possible. “I should like to stress particularly that the position of New Zealand so far as its allegiance to the Crown is concerned, is unchanged and unimpaired.” “It will be noted that the King Is described as the symbol of the free association of independent member nations of the Commonwealth and as such the head of the Commonwealth. It will be noted, moreover, that His Majesty is recognised as the head of the Commonwealth by India as well as by the rest of us who owe allegiance to the Crown. “The British Commonwealth is not and never has been a rigid structure based upon statutes and treaties. It is, in fa<*t, subject to growth and change as the result of mutual adjustments. These have taken place throughout the years from the time colonies were given responsible government and later on ’ a Dominion statues, until finally they became recognised for what they are todaysovereign independent nations of the British Commonwealth. “Just as the Statute of Westminster in 1931 registered changes that had occurred, so does the declaration of 1949 describe the status of the Commonwealth at the present time. “In conclusion, I would like to express my deep satisfaction with the good spirit that existed throughout, the talks. The representatives of all eight nations present stressed their strong desire to remain members of the Commonwealth with all that that connection means and connotes in mutual support, trust, and understanding.”