N.Z. RELATIONS WITH AMERICA

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25445, 17 March 1948, Page 5

N.Z. RELATIONS WITH AMERICA

' Statements By Mr Nash - In Washington “TIES WITH OLD COUNTRY CANNOT BE LOOSENED” (N.ZJPA.—Reuter—qppyright) (Rec. 8.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, March 15. “New Zealand’s ties with the United States can never ba strengthened at the expense of her ties with the United Kingdom,” said the New Zealand Minister of Finance (Mr W. Nash) in an interview to-day. “I am perfectly sure it would not be politically possible.” Mr Nash was questioned on the possibility of a closer affiliation between New Zealand and the United States resulting from Britain’s preoccupation with her own problems, her geographical position in Western Europe, and her inability in the future to take her maternal interest of the past in the Pacific Dominions. “I am pretty certain that Britain and the Dominions will hold together for a long, long time,” said Mr Nash. “New Zealand’s ties with the Old Country cannot be loosened. I believe that to be true also of Australia,* and I know it to ba true of Canada.” Asked about the possibility of a defence alliance between the Pacific Dominions and the United States, Mr Nash said he doubted whether the Dominions would seek such an alliance at present. “The thing we would have to ask is: ‘An alliance against whom?’ ” he said. x, Mr Nash conceded, however, that ways could be found to bring the United States and other countries on each side of the Pacific into closer commercial and cultural harmony. He pointed out that New Zealanders’ affection for Britain was such that New Zealand was prepared to sell Britain its commodities at prices below world parity. New Zealand, however, would have to be careful “lest nemesis overtake it” There was danger in selling to Britain at cut rates and buying from Britain at the increased rates which obtained to-day.