III - The United Nations

Summary

A study of Australian policy towards the United Nations between 1945 and 1955 shows that it was divided into two phases—the Evatt period, from 1945 to 1949, and the Spender-Casey period from 1950 to 1955. It was said that while Evatt had both hoped for and believed in the United Nations, Spender-Casey only hoped for it. The Spender-Casey regime continued in full operation and in the same spirit from 1955 until the end of 1959. In 1958 Sir Percy Spender resigned from the position of Australian Ambassador in Washington, from which he exerted a powerful influence on United Nations affairs, in order to become a judge of the International Court of Justice; in January 1960 Mr. Casey resigned from Parliament and from the Ministry of External Affairs in order to become a life peer at Westminster. The Prime Minister, Mr. R. G. Menzies, then took over the portfolio. It remains to be seen whether the disappearance of Messrs. Spender and Casey will make an appreciable difference to Australian attitudes at the United Nations.