Mr Walsh Deplores Reaction To Report

Press, Volume C, Issue 29684, 30 November 1961, Page 13

Mr Walsh Deplores Reaction To Report

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, Nov. 29. The British Government and the Lord Privy Seal (Mr Heath) had been treating New Zealand with the same measure of mtempt as had the British Commonwealth Relatione Secretary (Mr Duncan Sandys) on his visit to the Dominion earlier this year, the president of the Federation ot Labour (Mr F. P. Walsh) said today. He was commenting on the statement of the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) last night that the text of Mr Heath’s address to the Euro>ean Economic Community lad not added anything already known here. Mr Walsh said that If further evidence of Britain’s attitude to the Commonwealth on the question was required it could be found in Mr Heath’s handling of the whole affair and his relationship with the British Commonwealth on the matters. “It is pleasing to see the Leader of the Labour Party

in Great Britain (Mr Gaitskell) has taken up a strong attitude in defence of the Commonwealth,” Mr Walsh said. “Likewise, Mr Caldwell in Australia has been emphatic that Mr Heath’s conduct towards the Commonwealth has been disgraceful. “It is a great shame that Mr Holyoake failed to take action along toe lines of Messrs Gaitskell and Caldwell. “In fact, he should have moved toe adjournment of the House to debate this, the most important question affecting the welfare of this country.”