ASIAN RELATIONS CONFERENCE [1]

Although we intend to pass on to you for the Secretariat as soon
as available the final report of the Australian observers at this
Conference, yet the following interim observations on its progress
may be of interest [2] to New Zealand authorities.

Delegations include representatives of Soviet Georgia and
Azerbaijan, Tibet, Viet Nam and Indonesia. Observers were present
from the Institute of Pacific Relations of Moscow and New York,
and there was an observer from Chatham House.

The Inaugural Plenary Session (of 23rd March) was initiated by a
speech from Pandit Nehru in which the importance of Asia was
stressed in world affairs, together with the fact of her emergence
after centuries of foreign control to take her rightful place.

India was 'the natural centre and focus point of many forces at
work in Asia' and whatever the conference accomplished, the fact
of its occurrence was of historical significance and might be
later regarded as a landmark in world history. He also said 'we
welcome observers from Australia and New Zealand because we have
many problems in common, especially in Pacific and South-East
regions, and we have to co-operate together to find a solution'.

In closing this session Nehru insisted that Asia and Europe were
inter-dependent and that if Europe went down it would have
disastrous consequences for Asia.

In the course of subsequent discussions on migration, race
problems and economic transition, no proposals emerged detrimental
to Australia's or New Zealand's interests. [3] It was agreed that
every state must be its own judge over its composition, and must
be conceded the right to control immigration. (The strongest
Indian and Chinese objections were actually made to restrictive
and discriminatory legislation in Burma, Indonesia and Ceylon.)
Note was also taken in the discussions on nationality of the
Chinese explanation that Chinese nationality remained dormant
while enjoying the privileges of nationality in another country.