The Waikato Times WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER. 8, 1943. BEGINNING OF NEW ORDER

Waikato Times, Volume 132, Issue 22137, 8 September 1943, Page 4

The Waikato Times WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER. 8, 1943. BEGINNING OF NEW ORDER

Why it is essential for progress to be made with the solution of many social and economic problems in advance of the end of the war is being illustrated in Sicily. The Allied Military Government of Occupied Territory, abbreviated to “Amgot,” has followed the Allied armies into Sicily and is faced with the problem of applying new temporary forms of existence to a people freed from the yoke of Fascism. Amgot found Sicily in a state of utter chaos after a violent war of five weeks. Fascist rule was destroyed and to save the country it has been necessary to substitute temporarily a new form of government, a new code of social relations and a new economic system. While it is true that the Allied nations have not yet filled in all the details of the new order to which they aspire it is already evident that they have brought to Sicily new causes for public contentment, freedom and political progress. Sicily represents only the beginning of a vast undertaking for which the Allies will be responsible as the war proceeds towards victory. Other countries will be freed from tyranny and each will present its own particular problems. If the ‘"way of life” favoured by the United Nations means what free peoples think it means, it is being given a great opportunity to take root and prosper in the countries awaiting liberation. The Allies have not only an opportunity but also a heavy responsibility. Their duty is to give intense study to the task before them, because the policy they adopt in the countries temporarily controlled will have a profound influence upon the future of the world. Implementation of the principles of the Atlantic Charter, or at least full preparation for the implementation of those principles at the appropriate time, simply cannot be allowed to wait until the last enemy of freedom lays down his arms. The Atlantic Charter in all its ramifications cannot be put into operation until the war is won, but there are certain essential preliminaries with which progress can be made. The form of Government—which must be military at first—applied to territories as they are freed from the Axis must influence other countries which are still torn between allegiance to the Axis and to the United Nations. Give them an assurance that the “new order” will be to their advantage and their decision will follow quickly. The interim government of the freed countries becomes the shop window of the United Nations. The display of their wares is therefore of great importance. In theory all this is clear but in practice it will be necessary to improvise with the men and the facilities available. And since the objective is ultimate freedom of choice by the peoples concerned the military government can be only temporary. In due course the responsibility will fall upon the liberated people themselves. The transition stages are important.