MR HOLLAND IN WASHINGTON

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27565, 24 January 1955, Page 9

MR HOLLAND IN WASHINGTON

Talks On Formosa Tension

WASHINGTON. January 22. The Prime Minister of New Zealand <Mr Holland) yesterday discussed the Formosa situation with President Eisenhower and Mr Dulles, the Secretary of State. Mr Holland declined to discuss details of his talks at the White House and the State Department. , . , ~ He said: “Among the subjects discussed with the President and with the Secretary of State was the situation in the general area of Formosa and measures which might be considered in the United Nations to reduce the tension.” Mr Holland added: “New Zealand takes a natural interest in the pacification of the area of Formosa. As a member of the Security Council, the New Zealand Government has a’ready had discussions with the British and the United States Governments.” " Ir Holland spent almost 30 minutes wi h President Eisenhower, lunched with Mr Richard Nixon, the VicePresident, and had an unusually long talk with Mr Dulles, lasting an hour ani 20 minutes. Mr Holland said that in the discussion with Mr Dulles he had also emphasised New Zealand's concern about the disposal of the United States surplus products on the world markets. “Gravest Consequences”

He said: “The matter has the gravest consequences for New Zealand and I also discussed this matter today with Mr Ezra Benson, the Secretary of Agri ’u'ture.” -ed i* Mr Benson had given him an- satisfaction in these talks, Mr He nd replied: “Mr Benson listened to what I had to say and he has undertaken to give our representations careful consideration.”

Mr Holland said he had told Mr Dulles that he was happy that New Zealand was continually improving its ’ ' jth *he United States and strengthening them with such treaties I i-a.i and the Manila Pact for South-east Asian defence. He added: “But I have been at some pains to point out that the proposal to sell American butter to the United Kingdom is very serious, for New Zealand, and to emphasise how serious the consequences will be on any undermining of the traditional New Zealand market in the United Kingdom. “New Zealand is living very largely on the products from its sheep and cows, and we have for a long period supplied the market in the United Kingdom. The loss of this market to United States surplus products causes us great fear.”