The Press MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 1958. Mr Macmillan’s Visit

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28489, 20 January 1958, Page 8

The Press MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 1958. Mr Macmillan’s Visit

Mr Harold Macmillan’s arrival at Auckland this afternoon will

be an historic event, not only for New Zealand, but also for Britain; it will be the first time that a British Prime Minister has visited the Dominion during his term of office. The occasion has a dual significance: it indicates New Zealand’s maturity as a nation and Britain’s acceptance of partnership' in the Commonwealth. Always previously, New Zealand Prime Ministers have been called upon to visit London for consultations; but now the leader of Britain’s Government is coming to Wellington in a true and noteworthy spirit of mutual fellowship. It will be recalled that Sir Anthony Eden planned to visit Australia and New Zealand in the early months of last year. However, his resignation as Prime Minister intervened, and he came to New Zealand as an invalid. The idea of Mr Macmillan’s tour is essentially practical and sensible. Commenting on the plan, the “ Economist ” said: “ Happy families are not just “born that way; they have to “ be kept happy. The quickest “ way to imperil harmony is to “ take it for granted ”. Commonwealth harmony is the aim of Mr Macmillan’s tour; and he considers he can best promote it by intimate, personal discussions in the five Commonwealth countries on his itinerary.

When the tour was announced, the “ Daily Express ” said Mr Macmillan’s decision to spend six weeks away from London at a critical time was amply justified, “ for not one of the “ great issues of policy now “ before the British Cabinet can “be settled without consulta- “ tions with the brother “ nations ”. In Australia and New 'Zealand, Mr Macmillan’s talks will range over defence, trade, and related matters. In international relations they will have particular significance because of his recent attendance at the Paris “ summit ” meetings of N.A.T.0., to which S.E.A.T.O. is complementary. Mr Nash’s New Year statement of New Zealand’s policy on external affairs indicated broadly a continuance of the lines followed by the National Government; and prospects of accord with Mr Macmillan on that topic are therefore immeasurably brighter than on Commonwealth trade. Mr Macmillan’s visit coincides witlfc the Labour Government’s reimposition of harsh controls. However, apart from the exacting demands of business, Mr Macmillan and Lady Dorothy Macmillan will have the opportunity, on their first visit to this country, of seeing the Dominion’s scenic beauties and meeting its people. We believe New Zealanders of all shades of political opinion will join in wishing them happy memories ox their short stay.