MIDDLE EAST CRISIS

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28130, 20 November 1956, Page 20

MIDDLE EAST CRISIS

U.S. REPORTER ON ATTITUDE OF N.Z. “DISILLUSIONMENT WITH RUSSIA” (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 20. The best reflection of reactions in New Zealand to recent international events has been published not in. a British newspaper but in the New York “Herald-Tribune,” which devotes the best part of a column to the views of its military and aviation correspondent, Ansel E. Talbert, writing from Christchurch. While British newspapers have contented themselves with the briefest paragraphs on New Zealanders’ views on the Middle East. Talbert also comments on their opinions of Russia. His comments include: “The bitter disillusionment of most New Zealanders with Soviet new look propaganda, which had been making some headway with the aid of the Communist agricultural and other delegations sent here, is being sharpened by a clear realisation that the Kremlin strategy is to capitalise in every way on the. Middle East crisis. Two distinct trends having a possible bearing on future Commonwealth strategy also apparent are a widespread loss of faith in the United Nations as at present constituted, and a move toward tightening ties amon? Britain. New Zealand, Australia, and Canada. “There is practically no criticism at all of the United States, although President Eisenhower’s position on the Suez action received headlines. New Zealand’s military leaders particularly look to America as being the only influence deterring Soviet Russia’s armed forces from all-out intervention on behalf of Egypt. “Although New Zealand newspapers generally take the attitude that New Zealand’s prompt offer to contribute to the international police force for the Middle East has vigorously affirmed the nation’s loyalty to the United Nations, considerable space is being given to the comments of two British Commonwealth leaders at opposite ends of the political spectrum—Mr Emanuel Shinwell and Mr Menzies.”