MR HOLYOAKE RETURNS ‘Reservations’ About Future Conferences

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31169, 20 September 1966, Page 9

MR HOLYOAKE RETURNS ‘Reservations’ About Future Conferences

(Kew Zealand Preet Aseociation?

AUCKLAND, September 19.

“I felt it was timely that someone, other than Afro - Asians, should have some reservations about attendance at future conferences,” he said. “We have become a little too accustomed to this line of strategy. The Afro-Asians made semi-threats and we can have too much of this.”

He believed the AfroAsians had “learned something” from the conference and that the difficulties at

this conference would not bs repeated. Mr Holyoake said that he was sure his stand against the extremist opinions expressed by the Afro-Asian group had not harmed New Zealand's prestige.

“I have no doubt New Zealand has gained prestige in the minds of most of the reasonable and moderate Commonwealth members,” he said. “The Afro-Asians certainly lost prestige with me.”

A number of African leaders had sought him out after he made New Zealand’s decision clear. These leaders admitted they had not realised the significance of their actions.

The Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) said on his arrival at Mangere today that he was “quite serious” about his reservations on New Zealand’s future attendance at Commonwealth Prime Ministers’ conferences.

“I feel they have learned something from this conference and that their actions will be different from now on.”

Mr Holyoake expressed disappointment that so little time was available at the conference for other important political and economic issues besides Rhodesia.

“I think it was unhelpful of the Afro-Asians to insist that so much time was spent on the Rhodesian question.”

He admitted that “to some extent” this group dictated the terms of the conference.

He said the Rhodesia question was “our greatest test” He said he believed there was no great danger of the Commonwealth breaking up, in spite of the emotional views held by a number of its members. He had always been an optimist, he said.