Presbyterians Seek U.N. Membership For China

Press, Volume C, Issue 29672, 16 November 1961, Page 20

Presbyterians Seek U.N. Membership For China

(New Zealand Press Association)

DUNEDIN, November 15. A recommendation asking the New Zealand Government to support the inclusion of China in the United Nations was approved by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church. The recommendation was from the international relations committee of the assembly and also asked the Government to recognise the Chinese Government as the de facto government at mainland China while continuing to recognise the Nationalist Government of Formosa. In moving the acceptance of the recommendation, the committee’s convener (the

Rev. O. S. Robinson) said the recognition of the Communist Government was no sign of approval of that Government. “It is an anomaly that China is represented in the United Nations not by the government in control and with authority over most of the national territory, but by a Government of a minor area, which has no ability to implement the policy of the United Ntaions,” Mr Robinson said. The recommendation was seconded by the Very Rev. J. D. Salmond, who asked how disarmament on a world scale could be brought about if the Chinese Government was kept out of the United Nations. “The Nationalist Government is the elected government of China, not of the province of Formosa,” the Rev. J. Poon, a Chinese minister from Auckland told the assembly. To millions of Chinese overseas, including himself, the Nationalists were the Symbol of government, he said. ’

China was violating the charter of the United Nations, yet the assembly was being asked to support its inclusion in the organisation. Mr POon said he, was unable to explain the action of the Chinese people, many of whom had suffered at the hands of the communist government.