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D9 17 January 1975

PRIME MINISTER'S SPEECH - THE HAGUE

4 JANUARY, 1975

The following is the text of a speech by the Prime Minister of  Australia, the Hon. E. G. Whitlam, Q.C., M.P.,  at a dinner given by the  I  Prime Minister of the Netherlands, The Hague, on Saturday, 4" January 1975.

"I have had frequent occasion on my visit to Europe to stress  the traditional friendship that Australia enjoys with the countries  of Europe. In few countries are such sentiments more appropriate or  more soundly based than here in The Netherlands. I greet you, Prime  Minister, not only as a fellow Head of Government and as the head of

a fraternal party, but as the leader of a nation with an exemplary record  of generosity and goodwill in her dealings with the world. In few countries  is there a keener and more practical conception of the responsibilities  of a small or medium power towards the maintenance of a stable world  order.

"The Netherlands has made a contribution to the lessÂ·fortunate  peoples of the world and to the welfare and progress of the international  community out of all proportion to her size. An Australian Prime Minister  comes to your country, seeking not merely a reaffirmation of our bonds

of friendship, but a good example - indeed a measure of inspiration - to  guide us in our own search for a wise and constructive role' as an inde-  ÃÂ pendent nation in an increasingly troubled world. Ã¢ÂÂ  ’

"In the history and traditions, and in the contempdrary circumÂ­ stances of our countries, there is much to provide a basis for greater  co-operation and understanding. Dutch navigators discovered the  Australian continent in the early 17th century - more than a:  century

before the British. True it was they found little to interest, them in  those days. It was another 300 years before the Dutch came; to Australia  in significant numbers. Since World War II - a conflict in which Dutch  and Australian soldiers fought side by side - more than 160,000 Dutch  migrants have settled in my country. Their contribution to the development

and enrichment of Australian society has been immense and irreplaceable.  No migrants are more valued or respected by the Australian people. '

Today, the populations of our two countries and our national incomes  abe almost identical. We are both great trading nations. With our  common western traditions of law, social justice and Parliamentary  democracy, we share similar ethical and cultural values. Each of us

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aspires to a robust national independence, to a distinctive voice in  world affairs, yet each of us acknowledges an important role, and  important responsibilities,  in international and regional communities.

"I mention these things, not just to illustrate the strength of  our own relationship, which is long-standing and secure, but to show  how two nations, geographically remote and with widely different regional  interests,  can demonstrate the growing interdependence of all nations *   i believe this interdependence to be the cardinal reality of modern  international relations,' Only by recognising their interdependence will  nations overcome the complex and daunting problems confronting us all.

Interdependence implies much more than co-existence,  more even than  co-operation : it requires us to acknowledge that no nation can live to  itself, that the world's problems are global in their nature and origin,  and' that solutions will never be found - they will indeed be made much  more difficult - if nations pursue narrow,  inward-looking policies,  whether

in trade or in economic matters in military or defensive postures or in  their attitudes to the developing nations. There h a s .never been a greater  taeed for international discuasionÂ·, for the exchange of views, for the  strengthening and enlargement of the world's agencies for co-operation

and consultation. The survival of the western world - with its free  institutions and its manifold material blessings - may well depend on  the ability of nations to talk and work together.

"I believe this spirit of co-operation must be sought through  a new respect for international law. It is appropriate that I mention  these thoughts in The Hague, for it is here in your city that one of the  paramount instruments for world order and international law is based.  Australia has given her warm support to the principles and objectives

of the International Court" of Justree. We believe we must continue to  promote the development of international law. We must promote its ' acceptance, not merely as a means of ending disputes,  but as a standard  for international conduct", as a positive embodiment ofthe principles of  international justice and human brotherhood. The re-ordering of political  and economic relations which is occurring throughout the world will

inevitably give rise to strains between states.:  The challenge facing .us at present is to rise above self-interest and accept with generosity,  with grace and with responsibility the need to resolve our-differences  by peaceful means. It is for these reasons that I 'spoke last year in the

United Nations General Assembly of the need to give greater attention to  the role of the International Court. I urged that the Court's jurisdiction  should be widened and that jurisdiction should become compulsory and  universal. In helping the Court to enhance its role,  our countries

share much common ground. Our delegations at the United Nations have  worked closely together to this end.

"in international affairs, there have been many other areas of  fruitful co-operation between Australia and the. Netherlands. We both give  high priority to the United Nations. We have effectively co-operated in  the General Assembly on such questions as non-proliferation and nuclear

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disarmament :  Korea and South-East Asia :  the strengthening of the  International Atomic Energy Agency :  the Law of the Sea and the Environment.   We have rejected apartheid and worked for the elimination of racism and  colonialism, of anarchy and terrorism. We share a similar outlook on

the problems of the underdeveloped world. .  We are dedicated to :the  independence and development of those countries which history once made  our colonies.

"Australia's new emphasis in her foreign policy on a more outwardÂ­ looking and independent role,  our greater involvement in Asia and our  region, in no way represents any break with our history or with our tradÂ­ itional friends and allies inÂ· the Commonwealth, in western Europe or the  United States. Nor has our vital interest in their well-being diminished.

Western Europe,  for example, is more important-than ever in our vision  of the world. The nations of the European economic community now constÂ­ itute Australia’s single most important trading partner. We believe a  united Europe will strengthen the democratic forces in the world, and

that Europe's continuing prosperity is essential to the vie If are and  p r o g r e s s  of all nations.

"The Netherlands, as one of the founding states of the European  community, has an essential and'continuing role'Â· i n '  the new Europe and in  Australia's relations with Europe.. Your great ports are the essential  gateways for our trade with the whole of this continent. Your businessmen

and investors are deeply involved in Australia's economic development. Dutch people have risen to -the highest positions of eminence in  Australian commerce, industry and public life. I think of G.D. Delprat,  a former manager of the Broken Hill Proprietary Company, Australia's

largest corporation, a man who established our;first steel works in  Newcastle. I think of G. J. Dusseldorp, founder of the Lend Lease  Corporation, one of the greatest development companies in Australia. In  this context I mention a recent initiative to establish an Australian-  Netherlands Association in 'Australia which' will complement the"successful  Netherlands' Australia Institute already established in this country.

I pay tribute to- "the effort’ s to establish the new association and offer  my full support. It will symbolise: and strengthen the long-standing  ^.n d  cordial friendship between our two countries:. That -  friendship, W l r  Prime Minister, has been deepened and enriched by my visit to your

historic capital and by our talks together. Australians attach the highest  importance to our good r e l a t i o n s a n d honour your nation and its people  for their contribution to a saner, more civilized, more just.and peaceful  world."

