MR K AND MENZIES

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29336, 15 October 1960, Page 4

MR K AND MENZIES

Talks Held In New York

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) NEW YORK, Oct. 13.

The Australian Prime Minister (Mr Menzies) said yesterday that Mr Khrushchev clearly desired a summit conference. He said this in a statement after a one-hour private meeting with the Soviet leader. Mr Khrushchev • commented: "We had a fairly extensive conversation on various subjects. Each expressed his views. We did not ask each other for reaction to each other’s views. ‘‘lt was a sort of study conversation to understand each other.” In a statement later on his talk with Mr' Khrushchev, Mr Menzies said: “I thought it very desirable before leaving New York that I should have a personal meeting with Mr Khrushchev. This occurred this morning and lasted for rather more than an hour. “The subjects touched on in a very relaxed conversation were the prospects of a summit meeting, which Mr Khrushchev clearly desires, and those matters which might usefully be discussed .at such a meeting. “Chief among these, Mr Khrushchev named disarmament in all fields (a point which I emphasised to him), the problems of Germany and Berlin and a ban on atom tests.

“This last item, Mr Khrushchev thought of diminishing importance, since stocks of such weapons were already very great. “Nothing very new emerged from our talks, but Mr Khrushchev was clearly aware of Australia's position and went to some trouble to expand his pub-licly-expressed views on current affairs.”