Wilson Is "Delighted"

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30619, 9 December 1964, Page 21

Wilson Is "Delighted"

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter— Copyright) WASHINGTON, December 8. The British Prime Minister, Mr Wilson, who resumes his White House talks with President Johnson today, is reported “delighted” with the way they are going.

He is said to feel that the goodwill and friendship displayed at their two meetings yesterday augur well for the future. Mr Johnson is reported to have assured Mr Wilson that the United States continues to have a strong interest in seeing Britain prosper. The British financial crisis and N.A.T.O. nuclear policy were the two chief topics discussed yesterday; they are due for study again today. Almost complete secrecy surrounded the details of their exchanges, but from Mr Wilson’s happy demeanour and the guarded remarks of officials, it looked as though progress was being made. There was no hint whether any new moves were in prospect following the recent 3000 m-dollar. rescue package —looom dollars from the United States alone—put together by 11 nations to help Britain to defend sterling.

British and American officials were tight-lipped about the burning issue in N.A.T.O. at present—the counter proposal Mr Wilson gave to the President on the American scheme for a multilateral nuclear force. The United States, with strong West German backing, has called for the creation of a fleet of 25 surface ships manned by mixed N.A.T.O. crews and armed with Polaris missiles. Britain, however, has drawn up plans believed to call for a broader Atlantic nuclear force. There has been reports that Mr Wilson planned to outline to President Johnson a proposal to establish the A.N.F. with a much smaller surface fleet than that envisaged at present It would also have national elements such as the British V-bomber force, Britain’s projected Polaris submarine fleet, some American Polaris submarines, and mixed-man-ned ground missile units. The President and Mr Wilson got to grips with NA.T.O.

nuclear policy, as well as with defence problems around the globe, including China’s newly acquired nuclear weapon capability. President Johnson was said to have expressed appreciation of Britain’s far-flung defence commitments and to have acknowledged her special contributions to collective security. Officials disclosed that “good progress” had been made in examining the possibility of British-American co-operation in producing military equipment and in joint research and development projects. Mr Wilson was believed to feel that such programmes could save resources and ease part of the big defence burden on Britain’s shoulders. Officials said that neither expected to reach decisions during their two days of talks, especially on nuclear policy. They viewed their talks as only the beginning of an British-American dialogue and of talks among the N.A.T.O. allies and Britain’s Commonwealth partners. Mr Wilson was said to be

looking forward to another series of exchanges with the President, probably in January or February when he intends to visit the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Mr Wilson was the guest of honour at a White House dinner last night. He is having two meetings with Mr Johnson today, when his other engagements include placing wreaths on President Kennedy’s grave and on the tomb of the unknown soldier in Arlington national cemetery, and receiving Commonwealth envoys. PICTURE: President Johnson and Mrs Johnson greeting Mr Wilson at the White House.

Wool Unchanged. Melbourne woolbrokers report that about 16,200 bales were offered at today’s sales of which 96 per cent was cleared. The market generally was unchanged compared with rates ruling yesterday with the exception of fine to medium Merinos which commanded strong competition.— Melbourne, December 8.