MR NASH’S VIEWS

Waikato Times, Volume 194, Issue 22243, 12 January 1944, Page 3

MR NASH’S VIEWS

PACIFIC AFTER WAR TRUSTEESHIP OF ISLANDS NEW ZEALAND’S PART (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) WASHINGTON, Jan. 11 The Pacific Islands after the war should be handled on a strict trusteeship basis, said the New Zealand Minister in Washington, the Hon. W. Nash. He added that the United Nations should be the main responsible body but the peace conference should decide who keeps such Japanese mandated islands as the Carolines and the Marshalls. A correspondent in Washington reports that Mr Nash said the trusteeship for the Paciiic Islands might be discussed- this month at a conference to be held between New Zealand and Australia. Both countries were closely Interlinked not only on wartime problems but on the shape of things in the South Pacific after the war. When asked if New Zealanders thought the Pacific war was being neglected Mr Nash said he did not think so. New Zealanders knew that the war against Japan had hardly started yet. They knew, too that a strong force was being built up in the South Pacific which would shock the Japanese one of these days. International Council No sovereign or trustee nation should lose the rights to any islands in the Pacific, but the managing nation should be responsible for reports to an international council for that area, so that policies, including security, the operation of international air lines and the welfare of natives, would be co-ordinated, said Mr Nash at a press conference. Mr Nash said that conversations were pending between New Zealand and the United States regarding the realignment of lend-lease. Some commodities may be placed on a cash basis. New Zealand’s reverse lend-lease by the end of the year may be about equal to United States lend-lease. ‘ New Zealand was willing to do her share in contributing to international police or whatever body the United Nations designated, just as New Zealand contributed toward winning the war. Mr Nash suggested that the Pacific islands trusteeship should include Britain, America, Australia and New Zealand. He omitted the Portuguese because their possessions are in different geographical areas. The United States might have some justification for a •:laim to the Marshalls and Carolines after the war because of their proximity tc Wake and Samoa.