Administration We believe that the United Nations should decide the form of administration of the territories, and should be guided by its expert organ, the Trusteeship Council. We have our own preliminary views—for instance we welcomed the United States collective trusteeship proposals—but we prefer to form our definitive views when the problem has been investigated thoroughly by the Trusteeship Council. We do not consider it to be a matter which can best be decided by the present Conference or by four powers. Those of us who have followed the mass of successive proposals put forward by the Council of Foreign Ministers have been concerned that none of these proposals suggested that the inhabitants of the territories might themselves have views which should be considered. We dislike the very word " disposal " used by the Four Powers in the draft treaties. On the contrary, we hold that the interests of the inhabitants are paramount, and believe that. their interests will be best safeguarded if entrusted to the United Nations. Confidence in the United Nations The New Zealand Division took a major part in the liberation of North Africa. But if our proposal is accepted, we seek no special status in determining the future of this area on that account. We suffered great loss in a place 12,000 miles from home, just as we suffered loss in the campaigns nearer our own shores. But North Africa happened to be the area allocated to us as our part in the total allied war effort. We might equally well have been allotted a task in some other part of the globe. It was one war. We ask only that the future of the Italian colonies be settled wisely and humanly by the most competent body. We believe that the United Nations is that body.

Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given ; printing (610 copies), £l4O.

By Authority: E. V. Paul, Government Printer, Wellington. —1947. Price Is. 9d.]