Mr Macmillan’s Tour And Home Problems

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28513, 17 February 1958, Page 9

Mr Macmillan’s Tour And Home Problems

(Rce. 7 Feb 15

The “Manchester Guardian” said today that the Prime Minister, Mr Macmillan, had done good work during bis Commonwealth tour, from which he returned yesterday. But if he lost himself in the struggle at home, the effect of the tour might be irreparable harm.

“After six weeks away, the Prime Minister’s desk must be piled high. The Rochdale byelection, support costs in Germany, busmen’s pay claims and Cyprus will not make it any more inviting,” the “Manchester Guardian” said. “But the Commonwealth tour has been a success, and he ought to give at least some attention in the coming weeks to points raised by the Commonwealth countries.

“That Mr Macmillan went at all, at a time awkward for his Government, showed good judgment. For far too long United Kingdom Prime Ministers have left their fellows in the Commonwealth to do most of the travelling,’* the “Manchester Guardian” said. “To Learn, Not Teach”

“Mr Macmillan said that he was going to learn, not to teach, and it is evident from his speeches that he has learned much. He seems also to have soothed his audiences, if sometimes with platitudes.

“Mr Nehru has been reassured that the Conservatives have a continued interest in India’s welfare.” “The Prime Minister has assured Malaya that Britain will carry out plans for defence that have been arranged, £nd Singapore that there will be no delay in< the introduction of the new constitution.

“He has told New Zealanders that they appear to have a good case for invoking British antidumping legislation, and Australia that he wants to see a high percentage of British immigrants, and that Britain is satisfied with Australia’s contribution to South-east Asian' defence. Future Action “Each of the countries he has visited is under the impression that his remarks mean future action, and if he loses himself in the struggle at home, the good work he has done may turn into irreparable harm,” the “Manchester Guardian” warned. “New Zealand will be watching eagerly to see if the trade delegation invited by Mr Macmillan returns from London with as little practical benefit as its two predecessors last year,” the “Manchester Guardian” said. “Australia may want to see what steps will be taken to encourage immigrants from Britain, and certainly will expect either British commanders in South-east Asia to echo the Prime Minister’s views on Australia’s contribution, or an early statement on what further contribution has been agreed by Mr Menzies.” The Prime Minister should remember that during his tour he had created an impression that certain things would be done which Commonwealth members wanted. If they were not, without a satisfactory explanation, the British Government would be regarded as having broken faith, ‘ the newspaper said. Rochdale Voting

The “News Chronicle” said that the Prime Minister had; returned from a successful tour, to find a troubled land in revolt against the party machine. The newspaper quoted the Liberal vote at the recent Rochdale as proof of a growing sense of

frustration and futility in Britain. In the Rochdale by-election, the Labour candidate took the seat from the Government. The Conservative candidate finished third, at the bottom of the poll. In the 1955 General Election, the Conservative candidate had a narrow margin over his Labour candidate in a two-way contest

The "Daily Telegraph” said that it was reassuring that the Prime Minister was not going to abandon ship by watering down his Government's policy in a panic attempt to minimise unpopularity.

iMr Macmillan said yesterday that the Government would carry on with its job and not call for an early General Election.] Cyprus Report

The Foreign Secretary (Mr Selwyn Lloyd) yesterday reported to Mr Macmillan on the Cyprus problem. Mr Lloyd had returned to London from Athens after two days of private talks there with Greek Ministers on the future

of the colony. Mr Lloyd told reporters that he planned to take up with the Turkish and Greek Governments certain ideas he had about possible common ground on which to base a Cyprus settlement He could not claim he had yet found the common ground, but he believed his recent discussions in Ankara and Athens had resulted in a useful clarification of views. Britain is now expected to attempt to make progress on the Cyprus problem by bilateral negotiations with Greece and Turkey separately.