MR NASH IN INDIA

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28539, 19 March 1958, Page 13

MR NASH IN INDIA

Meeting With Mr Nehru (Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) NEW DELHI, March 18. The Prime Minister of New Zealand (Mr Nash) arrived in New Delhi early today and began talks with the Indian Prime Minister (Mr Nehru). Earlier, Mr Nash laid a wreath on the spot where Mahatma Ghandi wa. cremated beside the river Jumna. Mr Nash took off his shoes to walk along coir matting to the simple concrete slab ringed by lawns and gardens and already decked with flowers. With the Secretary for External Affairs (Mr A. D. Mclntosh) he laid the wreath and then stood silent beside the monument. Warmth and even gaiety marked his meeting with Mr Nehru. Mr Nash had changed from striped trousers and dark coat into a light suit for the meeting, and Mr Nehru arrived in white with a single red rosebud in his buttonhole. Both men smiled, shook hands and settled into private talks. They were undisturbed for 55 minutes. Trade and external affairs advisers to Mr Nash sat waiting in an outer office, but were never summoned in.

Mr Nehru had to leave earlier than scheduled to round off the

Budget debate in the House of Representatives. As he left Lady Mountbatten arrived to meet Mr Nash and to hear Mr Nehru promise more time for. talks, probably tonight.

Affinity ' Mr Nehru said that in many things he and Mr Nash did think alike. He confirmed Mr Nash’s suggestion of affinity. Even the short talks of the morning had shown that it existed. Asked whether he believed the preliminary talks had shown that Indian-New Zealand relations Would be improved as a result, Mr Nehru said: “They are so good now that I do not think they could be improved." The problem of nuclear arms had not been discussed, but there were more talks still to come, Mr Nehru said. ?