310.2/7–954: Telegram
The Chargé in New Zealand (Scotten) to the Department of State
priority
8. Embtel 6, July 8. Foreign Minister Webb, concluding foreign affairs debate in Parliament last night, noted his previous remarks on seating Chinese Communists UN had been subject considerable comment abroad, and said he proposed clarify his position. His subsequent remarks, however, left position still unclear. Without retracting previous statements, he did qualify them to some extent by saying that he felt this problem cannot be dismissed without serious consideration, and that it should be resolved by patient negotiation.
McIntosh, commenting to me on Webb’s remarks, said he thought they had been to some extent helpful in making it clear that Webb does not necessarily favor immediate action to seat Chinese Communists but realizes that there are many problems to be considered and solved before such action taken. McIntosh said he was certain no clear statement of New Zealand Government’s policy on this question would be issued. The situation would be left where it is, as any public statement by Prime Minister which would repudiate Webb would undoubtedly cause latter’s resignation which Prime Minister definitely unwilling to risk view Webb’s key position in government. McIntosh [Page 739] added that the Prime Minister somewhat injudiciously he thought had in private conversations with various people expressed the view that Webb had gone too far.
McIntosh indicated he strongly hopes no efforts will be made at this time to force official clarification New Zealand Government’s position this issue. This would be “calamitous” as it would put Prime Minister in impossible position.
McIntosh cabling Munro today interpretation of Webb’s remarks last night in above sense.