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It was but natural, therefore, that the first impetus towards regional collaboration should be given by the Governments of Australia and New Zealand, especially in view of the fact that they had already worked out arrangements for the closest co-operation between themselves. 10. The successful outcome of the deliberations of delegates can be regarded as a triumph for the policy aimed at closer relations between the two countries which was instituted at Canberra three years before the present Conference. 11. Furthermore, it is fitting to recall that both Australia and New Zealand whole-heartedly supported the acceptance of the " Declaration regarding Non-self-governing Territories," which became an integral part of the United Nations Charter and which imposes certain obligations on all members of the United Nations responsible for such territories. The importance of this Declaration was recognized by the General Assembly when it adopted, on 14 December, 1946, a resolution calling on the member Governments concerned to convene Conferences of representatives of the non-self-governing territories. 12. Chapter XI of the Charter of the United Nations, with the implementation of which the above-mentioned resolution is concerned, obliges those members of the United Nations whi,ch are responsible for non-self-governing territories to ensure the political, as well as the economic, social, and educational advancement of the peoples concerned, by developing self-government. 13. The exclusion of political matters from the scope of the proposed Commission was based not on the belief that they are of any less importance than the other aspects of advancement—they are, indeed, the primary aim of administration but on the conviction that healthy political development is possible only as the inhabitants of the territories can be assisted to solve the problems which press most heavily and immediately upon them. The first necessity is to improve health, provide better educational facilities, improve living standards, and generally to provide a fuller enjoyment of life. These measures go hand in hand with a steady removal of the sense of isolation, which is, perhaps, the greatest bar to progress. 14. The provision for the holding of periodic conferences of territorial representatives in the South Pacific was, therefore, warmly advocated by the New Zealand delegation at the Conference in the belief that it fully accords with the spirit of the resolution adopted by the General Assembly.