U.S. report of 1960 found N.Z. view of communism ‘naive’

Press, 21 February 1986, Page 25

U.S. report of 1960 found N.Z. view of communism ‘naive’

NZPA staff correspondent ‘ Washington The naive attitude of some New Zealanders to communism and an attraction towards neutralism constituted a growing public relations problem for the United States, according to an officer at the United States embassy in Wellington.

The comment came not in the midst of the present row over entry of nucleararmed ships but in December, 1960, less than two weeks after the National Government headed by Sir Keith Holyoake had taken office.

In a report to the Secretary of State, dated December 24, 1960, the embassy official noted that while Government leaders firmly opposed communism, many New Zealanders had been shielded from any harsh contact with communism and had been blessed with an abundance of the necessaries of life.

They were tired of the cold war and disposed towards trying a “turn the other cheek” philosophy to solve world problems. “Naive tendency in certain quarters’ public opinions to equate Soviet objectives with free world objectives and attraction toward neutralism constitute public relations problem for United States of growing dimensions,” the officer wrote.

"Softness certain segments New Zealand opinion has not escaped notice U.S.S.R. which has recently assigned tough sharp charge to replace blander-type predecessor. He has also assigned so-

called ‘Antarctic charge’ here, and sent steady flow Soviet artists here, invitations visit U.S.S.R., etc,” he said.

The report and others from Wellington are part of declassified material held by the United States national archives.

They cover a whole range of reporting on social, political and economic events from the United States Embassy staff back to the State Department in Washington where they would become part of the policy formulation process. Another report on the post-1960 election of the same date notes the orily big change in United States economic policy which would “elate New Zealanders” would be a liberation of restrictions on dairy imports. “Militarily, confidence of average New Zealander that United States in any emergency will look after New Zealand as it has in the past is likely (to) continue unless something happens to jolt this complacency. “In this connection, we can hope that closer association New Zealand with Australia, if it could come about naturally, might have leavening effect.”

Among recommendations the officer says the United States might helpfully take are to give increased attention to A.N.Z.U.S. as vehicle for co-operation. He also recommended strengthening the flow of United States information into New Zealand through educational exchanges,

speaking programmes and visits by “outstanding Americans.” The officer said the United States should work to deepen and expand N.Z.-U.S. relationships, and make clear the United States did not take New Zealand for granted, nor regard it as a weak echo of the United Kingdom or Australia. “Treat New Zealand as significant free world country with which United States wishes to co-operate toward shared objectives,” he advised. Another report analysing the election of Walter Nash’s Labour Government in November, 1957, notes that while there had never been any issue of the (now defunct) South East Asia Treaty Organisation (5.E.A.T.0.), the

new Government was likely to not have any initial enthusiasm for it “and may urge concentration upon economic and social programmes to the neglect of defencearrangements. “Objections may also, be raised to the carrying, out of S.E.A.T.O. nuclear exercises,” itsaid. The same report says that it was the embassy view that the attitude of the new Government to many international questions woufiT'ehange “with the assumption of responsibility and through the facing of the logic of basic international relationships.” However, it cautioned too hasty influence on the part of the United States to press its views.