VISIT BY MR DIEFENBAKER

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28765, 10 December 1958, Page 16

VISIT BY MR DIEFENBAKER

Talks Today In Wellington (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON. December 9. International affairs and trade, including butter marketing, will be considered in discussions between the Prime Minister of Canada (Mr John G. Diefenbaker) and the Prime Minister of New Zealand (Mr Nash) in Wellington tomorrow morning and afternoon. Mr Diefenbaker, who is staying tonight at Government House, will have talks with Mr Nash and his colleagues both before and after a State luncheon tomorrow. New Zealand is interested in Canada's potential as a market for dairy produce and is concerned at reports that Canada this season expects to have a butter surplus of 60 million lb. Confirming tonight that the talks would cover trade matters. Mr Nash added that international affairs, particularly the part the Commonwealth could play, would also be discussed. Another subject would be defence. “Nothing Barred" “I don't think there will , be anything barred from discuss.on,” said Mr Nash. “If there are differences, I am certain that we will discuss them in a very open manner." Mr Nash said he did not think any difficulties to mutual understanding would arise from the fact that Mr Diefenbaker led a Conservative Government while New Zealand had a Labour Government. “I have never thought of parties in talks between Commonwealth countries,” he continued. “I would say that whatever parties, are in power, we get decisions and arrangements when our case is pretty good. 1 would respect their point of -iew and expect them to respect ours.” ’ o Canada, which had never had a Labour Government, had made a good contribution to International affairs under both the previous and present Administrations, added Mr Nash. He had always got on very well with Canadians. Asked if there was anything New Zealand could do in support of Mr Diefenbaker’s ideas for developing Commonwealth cooperation, M* Nash said he did' not thiiik there was anything in addition tb what was being done already. The Montreal conference, which was held out of respect for Mr Diefenbaker, had come to certain conclusions on economic affairs in general and on the problems of the Commonwealth in particular. These decisions appeared to be good ones.