Australia Is Diplomatically Satisfied
p. 25 · Read in the full issue
No NG Annexation
With Un Trusteeship
The Australian Government is satisfied that, under the present circumstances, Australia’s interests are best served by the maintenance of the New Guinea Territory under United
Nations Trusteeship.
r[IS Is the crux of the answer given to the National Executive of the RSSAILA by the Aus tralian Minister for External Affairs (Mr. Casey).
It was in reply to a resolution moved by Mr. ‘R. F. Bunting, president of the F-NG State branch of the RSSAILA. and seconded by Mr. W. Yeo, of the NSW Branch, that New Guinea should be annexed by Australia, The Minister said: “. . . the situation is that the Government considers, firstly, that the annexa tion of the Trust Territory of New Guinea would involve the renuncia tion of the international obligations which Australia has assumed voluntarily in respect of the Territory; and secondly, that Aus tralia’s defence interest would not be significantly enhanced by the annexation of New Guinea.”
Editorial Note: The complete uselessness of
the Trusteeship system, and the mischievous manner in which it is used by irresponsible or self-seeking members of the United Nations is discussed at considerable length in this issue (page 69) in a review of a book by Sir Alan Burns. It is also dealt with in the leading article this issue.
It is said in newspaper circles that one believes something only when it has been denied by the diplomats three times. And that attitude of mind should be brought to bear on the Minister’s state ment. Forced to give an answer, he probably could say no less.
However, the Australian Govern ment, and particularly its Prime Minister, have taken the lead in condemning the vacillating policies of the United Nations; and there is no evidence to show that they are particularly enamoured of that section of it called the Trusteeship Council.