CONFERENCE IN LONDON

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31139, 16 August 1966, Page 1

CONFERENCE IN LONDON

P.M. Likely To Attend (From Our Own Reporters WELLINGTON, August 15. The attendance of the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) at the Commonwealth Prime Ministers’ conference in London next month may be taken as certain.

It is almost as sure that he will take with him the retiring Secretary for External Affairs (Mr A. D. Mclntosh), who is also the ambassador-desig-nate to Rome. So far, Mr Holyoake has avoided answering directly any question on the subject during press conferences. The conference is scheduled to begin in London on September 6 and will probably last 10 days. Diplomatic sources regard Mr Holyoake’s presence in London as almost mandatory—even though it must occur at an important time in the Parliamentary session.

The conference has gained in impact because of the ending of confrontation by Indonesia, which has brought urgency to plans for the realignment of Commonwealth forces in South-east Asia. Britain was committed to maintaining a strong garrison there while confrontation existed.

Its ending has freed Britain from this obligation and must suggest a return to the scaling-down of forces and bases east of Suez which, acording to United Kingdom authorities, was planned more than a year ago. Since then there have been several plans involving Singapore as a Far East base. If the base is to be maintained both Australia and New Zealand will have to accept a much larger part in its operation.

This is why other senior Commonwealth countries, notably Australia and Canada, are believed to be showing more than usual interest in New Zealand’s representation in London.

The Parliamentary session and the approaching general election are only two factors which make Mr Holyoake’s decision difficult.

The Kennedy Round trade discussions will open in Geneva in September, and it i- thought likely that the Deputy Prime Minister (Mr Marshall) or another senior Minister should attend. The Minister of Customs (Mr Shelton) could be the choice.

The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice (Mr Hanan) is still in hospital.

With both his seniors overseas, he would normally take over the running of Parliament—but exact movements cannot be scheduled unless his fitness to return to the House is assured. A short recess of Parliament would be one way out of the impasse, but at present this is not favoured. To be of value, it would have to extend from Friday, September 2, until Tuesday, September 20, eight sitting days. At least one authority believes that this solution could be adopted without difficulty. Because of the lack of controversial measures on the order paper, he says. Parliament could ensure adequate coverage of both conferences, and still rise by mid-October.