Pacific Territories

Australian Relations With

Statesmanlike Outline at Policy by Minister (or External Affairs

“rpHE Commonwealth Government A is convinced that, in order to

prevent future aggression, measures

should be concerted for the per manent defence of this (Pacific) area as one of the zones of security within the international system that must be created.

“Realising that satisfactory econo mic relations and a planned develop ment will greatly strengthen mutual defence and help to secure the general welfare of the peoples of this region, the Commonwealth Govern ment contemplates a general under standing, covering commercial matters, transport and general re construction in the post-war world.”

These words are taken from the com prehensive statement on international affairs delivered in the Australian Par liament by Dr. H. V. Evatt, Minister for External Affairs, on October 14.

Beginning with an account of his recent mission to Britain and the United States, he proceeded to discuss the likely world set-up after the war and referred to a speech by Mr. Churchill in which he indicated that he favored the estab lishment of a system of subordinate regional councils within the framework of a world organisation.

“While we are firmly of opinion that the time has passed when either the peace or prosperity of mankind can be regarded as divisible and one continent or one nation can be treated in isolation from another,” said Dr. Evatt, “we also feel that, because of our special geo graphical position and our growing responsibility and power, we can and should make a very special contribution towards the establishment and mainten ance of the peace settlement in South-, east Asia and the Pacific.

Sw Pacific Region

“ITKXLLOWING Mr. Churchill’s concep- A; tion out, it will be found that our regional approach will not be an isolationist approach. On the contrary, it can and should ensure that the post war Pacific settlement will be practical and effective in operation, provided due regard is paid to those with special experience of the problems of the Pacific.

“As a result of the war, Australia must show a particular interest in the welfare and system of control of those islands and territories which lie close to our shores. From the point of view of defence, of trade and of transport, most of them can fairly be described as com ing within an extended Australian zone.

It is certain that we shall be able to find common ground for collaboration as to bring about greater security and mutual benefits in the post-war world.

The Solomon Islands

“T OOKING at the matter from the AJ Australian point of view, the posi tion can be illustrated by the Solo mon Islands. Before the war, these islands were undefended and not fully developed. When war broke out, the Solomons actually became a menace to Australia, and there was lack of ade quate contact between the Australian and British administrations even in rela tion to defence.

“We have a definite interest in seeing that after the war these islands should

maintain sufficient bases and be deve loped along the lines that will make them, not a liability, but an asset in the defence of the South-west and South Pacific. With the rapid development of aviation, their landing-grounds will be come of importance in transport services to and from Australia. We have a con siderable interest in watching the use to which they are put.

“Before the war, Australia was the largest supplier of imports to the Solo mons and the largest market for its pro ducts. Further, the Commonwealth Gov ernment subsidised regular shipping ser vices to provide communications for both the Solomons and the New Heb rides. We are bound to maintain and improve our relationships with the islands, thus contributing materially to mutual security and prosperity.

New Hebrides

“mHE New Hebrides group is adminis- A tered jointly by Great Britain and Prance. Before, the war, these islands, like the Solomons, were a defence liability, because of their lack of develop ment. The system of condominium, or joint control, was considered in many quarters as not conducive to the progress of the group.

“These islands, where the population is comparatively small and is reported to be declining, and where the native way of living has been seriously disturbed by the war, present a serious problem in recon struction. Their future is a matter which concerns Australia in particular and the South-west Pacific region as a whole.

New Caledonia

“VIEW Caledonia, the mineral and ll agricultural resources of which are of importance, is only a few hours’ flying time from Australia. In peacetime, Australia supplied it with foodstuffs, manufactures and coke and coal for its important nickel refineries.

“After the fall of France and the sev ering of normal trade between the colony and mother country, the Australian Gov ernment rendered economic assistance by keeping the nickel industry working and facilitating the purchase by the colony of necessary commodities from overseas.

We assisted in * marketing the colony’s products. We also co-operated with the local administration in the improvement of the island’s defences and—as I have already pointed out—long before the arrival of American forces in the South Pacific we sent Australian troops to join the Fighting French to guard against invasion by the Japanese.

“Since then: New Caledonian nickel and chrome has become a particularly valuable asset in the Allied war effort.

“These resources, and its strategic position, make New Caledonia an import ant place in the future security of the South-west Pacific. It is of vital con cern to Australia. . „ “We envisage the restoration of fun French sovereignty. We also regard it as essential that, in relation to defence, air transport and trade, there should be a very close and intimate relationship between Australia and New Caledonia.

Timor

“miMOR, part of which is Portuguese A and part Dutch, was of importance to the overseas air services between Australia and Europe. The island, in

enemy hands, is a constant threat to Australia. If properly placed within the zone of Australian security it would become a bastion of our defence.

“In Portuguese Timor we appointed a special Australian representative in 1941.

We also took all practical steps to assist its people against the aggressor.

“In December, 1941, when Portuguese Timor was practically defenceless, and the Japanese invasion of this neutral territory was imminent, Australian troops were landed in the colony solely to assist the Portuguese and to forestall the Jap anese. The epic stand of our troops in the Timor hills will always be a source of legitimate pride to all Australians.

Netherlands Indies

“TJ>EFORE the war, Australian contacts J 3 with the Netherlands Indies were becoming increasingly close. We pro vided a market for their products valued about £7,600,000 sterling a year, with a reciprocal trade of about £1,250,000. The contact of peacetime has become much closer in the common perils of war, Dutch and Australians have fought side by side in the defence both of Dutch ter ritory and of Australia, and Australia has become a base from which the Dutch colonies will finally be regained.

“All these adjacent islands, together with Australia and New Zealand, form a great zone of mutual interest. It would be blindness not to recognise their com plementary relationship.

“As in the case of New Caledonia, we visualise the restoration of Dutch and Portuguese sovereignty. Here, again, it will be essential that the islands should be grouped in the same defence zone as Australia, and that special efforts within the zone shall be made in relation to air transport and economic betterment,

Papua And New Guinea

“TN the midst of this Pacific zone lies A our own Australian Territory of Papua and also the Mandated Ter ritory of New Guinea, placed by the League of Nations under Australian con trol. The war has completely justified the foresight of the Queensland Govern ment which, with the support of other Australian colonies, demanded the British annexation of Papua in 1888. It has also justified the attitude taken by Mr. W. M.

Hughes at the Versailles Conference, when he insisted upon the former Ger man territories south of the equator being placed under the administration of Australia as a mandatory. Unfortunately, the Japanese were allowed to obtain con trol of the former German island groups, north of the equator, and for that the United Nations are paying and will pay a heavy price.

“In its administration of its own ter ritory and of the mandated territory the Australian Commonwealth has attempted to live up to the principle of trusteeship for the natives. I think that our record will stand comparison with that of any other colonial administration.

“After the war we shall, of course, con tinue our administration of New Guinea and Papua, and contribute to the general welfare of the whole region, while faith fully discharging our duties to the native population and to the people of Austra lia.

“I visualise New Guinea, both Austra lian and Dutch, as an integral part of the Pacific zone with which Austnfiia will be vitally interested in collaboration with Britain and New Zealand on the one hand, and with the Dutch, French and Portuguese on the other.

A Zone Of Security

“mHE Commonwealth Government is A convinced that, in order to prevent future aggression, measures should

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be concerted for the permanent defence of this area as one of the zones of security within the international system that must be created.

“Realising that satisfactory economic relations and a planned development will greatly strengthen mutual defence, and help to secure the general welfare of the peoples of this region, the Common wealth Government contemplates a gen eral understanding covering commercial matters, transport and general recon struction in the post-war world.

Welfare Of Native Peoples

“TN this regard, we have a special con- J. cern in the welfare of the native peoples of the whole of the South east Asian and South-west Pacific region.

“We recognise that the future of native races is a subject of legitimate international interest, and are ready to collaborate to ensure the welfare of colonial peoples and their steady ad vancement economically, socially and politically.

“For our own part, in New Guinea and Papua, we are determined to maintain and improve the standard of native wel fare. The Department of External Ter ritories is handling matters relating to the resumption of civil administration and the planning and rehabilitation in our re-occupied territories. In this work there will be close collaboration with the Departments of External Affairs, the Army and other interested Australian authorities.

Relations With Pacific States

“fIIHE handling of the problems of X security, post-war development and native welfare, which I have out lined, calls for courage and vision. It requires us to make an intelligent anti cipation of events and to make prepara tions to meet them.

“As a further contribution towards a better understanding of common prob lems and points of view, I propose to take steps to obtain a frank exchange of views between properly accredited repre sentatives of the various Governments interested in the South-west Pacific. We already have established a representative organisation dealing with political war fare against our Japanese enemy in the Pacific. The work of this organisation has been of great value to the United Nations and well illustrates the possibility of closer collaboration in the task of Pacific reconstruction . . .

“I regard pei-,.anent collaboration between Australia and New Zealand as pivotal to a sound post-war Pacific policy.

“Other authorities concerned in what I have called the Australian defence zone are the British Colonial Administra tion, the Netherlands and Portuguese Governments and the French National Committee of Liberation. Before the war, France was one of the major colonial powers in the Pacific Islands and, in welcoming the formation of a united French authority, the Australian Govern ment looks forward to renewed interest by the Committee in Pacific affairs and to our continued collaboration with the local French administration in New Caledonia.

“As well as our immediate neighbours, there are other powers in North and South America and on the Asiatic main land concerned in the future of the Pacific.

“Our great ally, the United States, is playing and is destined to play a major part. On many Pacific battlefields Americans and Australians have borne

the brunt of the fighting against Japan.

It is certain that in the Pacific our col laboration with the United States will be exremely close.”

The New Guinea Mission boat “Mac- Laren-King,” which was taken over by the Army in August, 1942, was lost in June, this year. It was run on a sand bank or reef off Port Moresby.

The changed South-west Pacific mili tary situation is emphasised by an order that the concrete blockhouses erected 18 months ago opposite Noumea’s police station and at other strategic street junctions are to be demolished at once.

They are said to “possess no defence utility and to hinder traffic.”

Among recent departures from West ern Samoa were the Secretary of Native Affairs (Mr. C. G. R. McKay) and his family, Mr. C. Dean (Morris Hedstrom, LtdJ, Miss Phoebe Hellesloe (Secretariat), Mr. C. M. Grey and Mrs. W. M. Burnett.

Victor Brial, serving overseas with the New Caledonian volunteers, has been awarded the Croix de Guerre and the Etoile d’Argent. His brother Jean is with the same contingent, and a third brother, Benjamin, is with the French Navy.

M. Gaston de Sonneville, a French colonist of long standing in the New Hebrides and head of a large family, was accidentally drowned in the Segond Channel, Santo Island.