"Berlin Could Bring Clash In 1961"-P.M.

Press, Volume C, Issue 29557, 5 July 1961, Page 16

"Berlin Could Bring Clash In 1961"-P.M.

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 4. Berlin could be the “flashpoint of 1961,” said the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake), opening the two-day debate on external affairs in the House of Representatives tonight. “The stage is being set for a clash of wills and perhaps—who knows—a clash of arms,” he said.

The Berlin problem might be the most dangerous in the whole world by the end of the year, said Mr Holyoake.

The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Nash) said he thought Mr Khrushchev had some fear of Germany—“of Germany arming again.” Russia was m a quandary, he said, "because one defeat —over East Germany—means others.” This would reduce loyalty to Russia of countries I bordering the Western world, he said. Mr Holyoake said that alI though New Zealand's isolaI tion diminished every year I she was still remote from [areas of the world where great political and social [forces were stirring and [where war was a direct and constant danger. “In the quiet of the South Pacific it is all too easy ior us to forget that the end of World War II did not put an end to conflict in the world True, there has been no major war. but there has been no lack of warfare.” said the Prime Minister. [ “Few continents have been [left free of it.” he said.

“The idealogical conflict is central and continuous and although the Communist powers talk of competition solely in economic terms and offer peaceful coexistence, one would have to be blind and deaf to be unaware of the danger that confronts the | Western nations,” said Mr I Holyoake. “Communist World" | “Mr Khrushchev and other [ Communist leaders have i made no secret of their determination to bring about a [Communist world and I am convinced that free men living in free societies can withstand and defeat any challenge and any competition from the Communist world if we use our full capecities but I don't suppose we ever use our full capacities," said Mr Holy-

"We in New Zealand stand clearly on the aide of freedom and democracy. It is true that we are only a small country but what we say and do has much more than local importance,” he said. “It is listened to throughout the world.

"At present mankind is poised between two dangers —one is the total destruction ' of life through atomic war [and the other is submission

to a tyranny that would obliterate human liberty and dignity," said Mr Holyoake. Until an agreement on disarmament could be achieved the West would have, to maintain military strength at least sufficient to deter aggression.

Politically ther<_ was an equally direct conflict and it was ironic that the Western countries, some of which had brought political emancipation to hundreds of millions throughout Asia and Africa, should face charges of colonialism from the Communist powers which had enslaved millions so that they had no say in the manner in which they were to be governed. “We in the West have not yet found a method of countering this Communist propaganda," said Mr Holyoake. Western Samoa Mr Holyoake mentioned that New Zealand's trusteeship over Western Samoa was ending this year and that the relations between the two Governments would be of equality and friendship. The Prime Minister, however, deplored the marked difference in living standards between the developed and the underdeveloped countries. “Much more will have to be done,” he said.

‘‘Since the Government took office we have devoted ourselves to positive support for freedom and higher standards of living for all,” said Mr Holyoake. Discussing the position of China the Prime Minister said: “It is difficult to see how in the face of China’s continued denunciations of the United States and its unremitting efforts to remove United States influence from Asia, the United States can be expected to alter its present policies to any marked extent. I see little justification for efforts to make things easy for Communist China. There are difficult questions of refugees to be solved before Communist China can be admitted to the United Nations, the most important of which relates to the future of the Formosan

people.” said the Prime Minister. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Nash) said there was nothing comparable in history with the way in

which Britain had given and supported self-government for others. And this had been done without war although not without loss of life.

Mr Nash criticised Russia for “queering the pitch” of nuclear teat control and disarmament when these issues were looking their brightest. “They have dodged questions all over the shop,” he said.

The disarmament problem, however, could not be solved, he said, “until the Chinese mainland is recognised—a nation with more than 700,000.000 people.” But Formosa should not on any account be sacrificed to this end, said Mr Nash. He felt sure that Mr Khrushchev wan'ed disarmament because Russia had been “smashed” twice by major war. “I think he’s got some fear of Germany arming again,” said Mr Nash. “Russia is in a quandary because one defeat—over East Germany—means others. This would reduce loyalty of countries on the borders of the Western world.

Commenting on Russian proposals for a three-nation secretariat for the United Nations, Mr Nash said: “We would get nowhere at all." Mr Nash described the United Nations SecretaryGeneral (Mr Dag Hammarskjoid) as “one of the great men in the world.” Hunger, he said, was the major menace, and more likely to lead to war than any other single problem. Mr Nash said that the Germans claimed the area of the Oder Niesse, with a population of 6.8 m, but the Poles had developed the area, and it would be a physical impossibility for the Germans to take the area back.

Western Germany's overseas reserves of £ 2.724 m compared with Britain's reserves of £ 1000 m. The two countries that lost the war. Germany and Japan, had left the winners standing, said Mr Nash.

The Leader of the Opposition also said that people were leaving Eastern Berlin for the West at the rate of 200.000 a year, and, if that continued, within six or seven years East Berlin would be empty. “There will be major trouble if the Communists try to stop river, road, and rail routes to goods once more.” said Mr Nash. “An airlift will then be the only way. They cannot close the air routes under the existing treaty.

“We have the right to go in. but at that point circumstances might be very dangerous.

“Mr Khrushchev had said that he would make a separate treaty with. Eastern Germany by the end of the year, and the greatest menace seems to be at that point. There is bound to be trouble,” he said.