Mr Webb Affirms Views On China And United Nations

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27397, 9 July 1954, Page 12

Mr Webb Affirms Views On China And United Nations

PARLIAMENT

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, July 8. The Minister of External Affairs (Mr T. C. Webb) said tonight that he would not withdraw one word of his remarks on Tuesday night when he stated a case for the admission into the United Nations of Communist China. He said he did not support the United States’ resistance to such a move. Mr Webb, winding up the international affairs discussion in the House of Representatives, said he would prefer to see all countries, including those that might be called disturbing elements, in the United Nations. Such admissions. however, presented difficulties. The admission of Communist China, particularly, posed a problem, and he emphasised that it was not one to be tackled in baste. On his point of disagreement with the United States. Mr Webb said: “I hope the little bit of influence New Zealand can exert this end may help to compose these difficulties.” He emphasised the importance of British-American co-operation, but said that that did not mean there should not be room for disagreement. When the debate was resumed this afternoon, Mr P. G. Connolly (Opposition, Dunedin Central) said that Mr Webb had given his opinions to the House and the country, but what was the Government’s opinion of the suggestion to ‘drive a wedge between Communist China and Russia? He thought the proposal would be impossible for the democracies to undertake. because already Communist China and Russia were bound by pacts of non-aggression and mutual assistance. How were the democracies to woo China away from Russia? Mr E. P. Aderman (Government, New Plymouth) opposed the admission of Communist China to the United Nations and the recognition of the Chinese Government. “I cannot raise a tinge of emotion to support such recognition or admission.” he - said. Nor did he think it possible by admitting China to the United Nations to drive a wedge between that country and Russia. Mr Connolly: Hear, hear. I agree with that. “Wedge Into a Knot” “You can never drive a wedge into a knot, and there is a knot between these countries,” Mr Aderman said. Even if it were possible to separate them he doubted whether he would like either section. There had been talk of admitting only China, he said. But what about Japan. Western Germany, Turkey, and Italy? Did this move for China’s admission to the United Nations arise only because China was a big, troublesome nation to be reckoned with? Mr Aderman asked. Was that the criterion on which to judge admission? If New Zealand were to recognise the Chinese Government the only

—.ernment the only effective way to implement that decision was through diplomatic representation there, he said. However, if New Zealand’s diplomatic representation were to be extended he would prefer to see it established in Malaya or India. New Zealand would not be able to open an embassy in China, so there would be a one-way traffic in representation, with the Chinese coming to New Zealand as the Russians had done. It would be unwise for the Chinese Communist Government to have an embassy here, where influence might be exerted on New Zealand’s Chinese residents, he said. The Deputy-Leader of the Opposition (Mr C. F. Skinner) said that Mr Webb’s statement that recognition should be extended to the Communist

China Government was gratifying to him. Had recognition been given earlier many of the complications that had since arisen in the East would probably have been averted. Recognition of the de facto Government and giving Communist China a place in the United Nations did not mean, however, that that country’s views and aims were approved. Mr Webb’s Reply Replying to the debate. Mr Webb said his remarks on Tuesday had attracted much notice. “I want to say on a note of caution that I don’t want more to be taken out of those remark? than I intended, and again I don’t want less than was intended to be taken out,’’ he said. Mr Webb said he would restate the points he had made when opening the debate last Tuesday. He had said he was convinced that the non-recognition of Communist China was preventing a lessening of international tension, and that it was not satisfactory that 600,000.000 people should have no voice in what had been called the town meeting of the world. He had repeated his earlier attitude that China, by supporting aggression in Korea, had for

jthe time being forfeited her right of admission and, as he had said on more than one occasion, China would “have Ito work her passage back.” He had stated that some persons might think it was too early to say China had yet earned her right to admission. But he had emphasised there was another side —that by not admitting her the West was tending to defeat its own purpose by tending to solidify the Communist block, which threatened to gather so much of mankind into its tentacles. Mr Webb said that, guided by logic rather than emotion, one would come round to the view that early consideration should be given to the question of admitting Communist China to the United Nations.

The Minister repeated that he did not wish to withdraw one word of his earlier remarks, but it was no easy problem. It was not one to be tackled in haste. The people in the United States took a much more serious view of communism than some others, including himself. The strong views held there presented difficulties that would have to be faced if an attempt were made to bring China into the United Nations.

There were other nations, which, though qualifying for admission, had not been brought in. He had been pleased to hear Mr A. H.. Nordmeyer mention Spain. It was not a question whether one liked the Government, but whether in fact it was governing the country. There was no justification for keeping Spain out, he added. But there were other countries—a formidible list of them—and there were difficulties in the way to getting them in. The veto was the difficulty. This problem would have to be faced. If one country were to be admitted, there would be demands from others. “Let us realise that there are practical difficulties that will take time to overcome,” the Minister said, “and only patient negotiation will be able to solve them.”

The position of Nationalist China also needed to be appreciated, he continued. She was already in the United Nations, and he could not imagine an attempt being made to exclude her. The Minister of Education (Mr R. M. Algie): She’s got a double header. Mr Webb said it was desirable to get into the United Nations as many countries as possible—it was a place where they could let off steam. Mr Webb said: “Let us do what we can to bring them all in, because even if there is a disturbing element it is better for it to be in than out.’’ Turning to France’s responsibility in Indo-China, Mr Webb said he did not wish his earlier remarks to be taken as an opinion that France had been wholely to blame for the situation there. South'-east Asian Alliance Replying to points raised on the development of a South-east Asian alliance, Mr Webb said at this stage it was difficult to say which nations would be in it Discussions at present were confined to the United Kingdom and the United States, but other countries such as Australia and New Zealand would be brought in later. On the constitution of the alliance

Mr Webb said it would be fatal to Its success or even to the negotiations that might lead to it if the impression got abroad that it was just a “white man’s alliance.’’ Every effort would be made, he said, to carry the Southeast Asian nations along. If the alliance were arranged, and these countries were not willing to enter into it, he hoped their attitude would not be one of hostility. Mr Webb said he regarded such an alliance as essential to thd* security of this country. It would be defensive, and would not be aimed at anyofip. It would be a firm and unequivocal declaration that any overt Communistic aggression would be resisted. “We must work for Anglo-American co-operation and see that it is not weakened in any way,” said Mr Webb, “because I believe that is the best hope for world peace. That does not mean that we should in no circumstances disagree with the United States. We won’t get anywhere that way—there is always room for healthy or path pnf *’

Mr Webb said he did not agree with the resistance of the United States to the admission of Communist China to the United Nations. "But I hope the little bit of influence New Zealand can exert at this end may help to compose those difficulties. In one way or another nations undeservedly kept out of the United Nations must come in. When that day comes there will be a lessening of world tensions and a better prospect for peace than we have at present”