LONDON TALKS BEGIN

Press, Volume C, Issue 29458, 9 March 1961, Page 15

LONDON TALKS BEGIN

U.N. Future For Discussion

LONDON, March 8. A common policy on control of nuclear tests and a Commonwealth view on the future of the United Nations will be decided by the Commonwealth Premiers tomorrow and on Friday. The conference will begin today with a review of East-West relations. Most leaders consider these problems equally as urgent as those of South Africa, according to a check made today.

In any case, the South African issue has been virtually settled in the unofficial preliminary talks of the last few days, according to Australian Associated Press. It is almost certain South Africa will be allowed to remain a member of the Commonwealth when she becomes a republic in May. However, her policies will be fiercely attacked in a discussion early next week. Dr. Verwoerd will be told firmly his country is considered a disgrace to the rest of the “club,” according to conference sources. It is understood the more fierce of South Africa’s critics have been told it could be embarrassing to impose disciplinary action such as expulsion on South Africa. It has also been said that expulsion of South Africa

would not benefit the Africans on whose behalf the action would be made. The Premiers will devote today to a quick review of East-West relations since the summit talks last May and will tomorrow begin an immediate discussion on controlling and inspecting nuclear tests. All the various solutions that have been paraded before the United Nations will be examined with the intention of putting together a proposal that will be supported by all the Commonwealth.

It will be presented to the Geneva conference by Britain. Mr Nehru, of India, who said on arrival yesterday that the “nuclear club” should be abolished, is also expected to suggest the Commonwealth make a stand for halting nuclear weapon production. He is expected to get the support of several non-white nations, particularly Ghana and Nigeria. The United Nations poses

two urgent problems for the Commonwealth: whether the Security Council should be enlarged because of the huge increase in the original membership of the General Assembly, and whether the system of the Secretariat should be changed.

Allied with these will be a Commonwealth discussion on the United Nations intervention in the Congo. Conference sources expect this to provoke some bitter comments from the Ghana delegation, and it is most unlikely that a common front will be achieved for future United Nations discussions. Next week the conference will discuss whether the Indonesian claim to Dutch New Guinea is likely to disturb international peace. Tunku Abdul Rahman, of Malaya, and Mr Menzies will report on the issue as they see it.

Some sources say Ghana will take the opportunity to criticise Australia for not speeding the pace of independence in New Guinea.