Nash Would Like To Visit S.A.

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29179, 13 April 1960, Page 25

Nash Would Like To Visit S.A.

(N.Z. Pi ess Association—Copyright)

LONDON, April 11. ixt N ew Zealand Prime Minister (Mr e aS u today that he would like to visit oouth Africa “in a reasonable time.” This would enable him to talk “a little more knowledgeably,” about South African affairs. But Mr Nash said he was heavily committed until June and he did not know how such a visit could be fitted in.

“I would like to see and understand the position there although I don’t know that I would change my views,” he said.

Mr Nash was giving a press conference to more than 30 reporters at New Zealand house. He was questioned at length about South Africa and about the relation of the South African question to the Commonwealth Prime Ministers’ conference, which he will attend early in May. He said he did not think apartheid would be raised at the conference. It might be discussed by members but not at the conference. Earlier, at London airport, Mr Nash had told reporters he thought it would “unavoidably” come up during the conference but probably in private conversation between Prime Ministers. . “I think that every-subject that is pertinent to the Commonwealth will come up for consideration,” Mr Nash said.

He • added that major contro-

versial questions at Commonwealth Prime Ministers’ conferences were “generally put to one side.” Asked then if he thought that anything would' be said about apartheid, he said: “I think it is unavoidable. But at least it will give the people responsible for the policy a chance to discuss why they are doing certain things.” At a press conference, Mr Nash, referring to South Africa, said: “I do not think there are inferior people or superior people. There may be different people. “But I am not going to say anything which might make it more difficult in South Africa than it is at present. “However if super statesmanship is not used by someone, there may be a conflict worse than has ever been known. I am keen to find a way in which we can live together instead of dying together,” he said. Asked about the visit to South Africa of the New Zealand Rugby team, from which Maori players have been excluded, Mr Nash said it was for the New Zealand Rugby Union to determine policy. Mr Nash outlined his itinerary for visits to European countries, including the Soviet Union where he will meet the Soviet Prime Minister (Mr Khrushchev).

Asked if he would invite Mr Khrushchev to New Zealand, he said he would have to wait until his visit to Russia had taken place before he could answer.