AUSTRALIAN VIEW

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27397, 9 July 1954, Page 11

AUSTRALIAN VIEW

(Rec. 12.10 ajn.) _ M T „ CANBERRA. July 8.

Australia’s attitude towards the recognition of Communist China stands, the Prime Minister (Mr Menzies) declared tonight. He was commenting at a press conference on the statement by New Zealand’s Minister of External Affairs (Mr T. C. Webb) of his conviction that the time had arrived for the admittance of Communist China to the United Nations. , Mr Menzies said Australia s attitude was stated by him in September last year. He had not heard any suggestion that it should be brought before the Cabinet and he added: “I have no proposal to bring it before the Cabinet.” _ , _ In his statement to the House Ox ReSresentatives last September. -Ir lenzies said: “Some of the forces of this country have been engaged in hostilities in which, among their enemies, have been the Chinese Communists. ‘1 do not discuss recognition of my enemy while I am in the field with him. N

Diplomatic quarters in London bevfeT is unlikcl y to alter her view that the question of admitting ,9 h 2 na to the United Nations should be kept “in cold stora £ e ,/* urin g. the autumn General Assembly session. Britain has been unwilling to support the candidature of Communist China as long as there was evidence that Peking was backing the forces invading South Korea or the rebel groups m Indo-China. Dut the long-term British attitude on this question is known to differ from the present United States Administration.

When and if Peking “purged herself of aggression” British opinion would consider it logical to admit to the United Nations the government which in fact was in effective control of the land.

It was emphasised in diplomatic quarters, however, that whatever the outcome of the current Indo-China negotiations at Geneva, Britain was unlikely to back the admission of Communist China in the forthcoming United Nations session or to take any initiative in the matter.