MR MENZIES SAYS WEST IS NOT AFRAID BUT IS CONCERNED AT EVENTS

Wanganui Chronicle, 21 August 1950, Page 5

MR MENZIES SAYS WEST IS NOT AFRAID BUT IS CONCERNED AT EVENTS

AUCKLAND, Last Night (PA).—“I do not think the people of the Western world are afraid today, but they are very concerned. The events of the ■ last two months have had a stirring i effect on the Western democracies and ! I include yours and mine.” This is one of the main impressions I gained in the course of a six weeks ; tour of the major world capitals by I the Prime Minister of Australia, Mr. I Menzies, who arrived at Auckland toI night, from Japan. i "There Is a very much more acuta ! realisation that there are dangers in .' the world and they will have to be I prepared against," he said. 'I rather . think there will be a greater public ; disposition to accept the burdens than I one might have expected to find six months ago." Mr Menzies spoke of his world tour at a Press conference. The New Zealand Prime Minister, Mr. Holland, also attended and from time to time was asked by Mr. Menzies to comment on his views. Although Mr. Menzies had travelled bard for six weeks and has visited Singapore, Ceylon. Pakistan, Egypt, Rome, London, Washington, Ottawa and Tokio, he showed little sign of weariness. On two subjects Mr. Menzies would make no comment. The first was the military situation in Korea and in arrangements for an Anzac force. These, he said, were matters being dealt with by the acting Minister of Defenpe in Australia, Mr. Mcßride and service chiefs. The second subject was the financial background to his talks in London and Washington. "I am a clam,” was his reply to an Inquiry about a dollar loan. “In the the United States, talking to the President, his principal associates and members of Congress, I found the fact that Australia and New Zealand forces had been quickiy on the spot in the Far East had created a most tremendous impression." said Mr. Menzies "Wc have a better opportunity today to develop very intimate understandings with the United States than we have had for some time. Your people in New Zealand, like mine in Australia, may be assured that what has been done, although intrinsically limited, as it must be, in the nature of tilings, has been very warmiy appreciated " During his journey he had had high level talks in many countries, said Mr Menzies. He was now looking forward to a very close exchange of ideas with Mr. Holland. After these confidential discussions there would follow elaborate discussions with the Australian Cabinet. “However, I ar. prepared to say, if It is not boasting, that I have learned quite a lot in the last few weeks,” he added. During his visit to Japan Mr. Menzies had a two-hour discussion with General MacArthur, and he was accompanied during his slay by Lieu-tenant-Genera) Sir Hordee Robertson, commander of the British Commonwealth Occupation Forces. His main reason for visiting the country was to see the Australians serving there.