PM Transcripts

FOR PRESS: MR. B, A. SANTAMARIA'S COMMENT
Statement by the Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Trade,
Mr McEweno
Wben asked today to react to a comment by Mr. B. A.
Santamaria, Secretary of the National Catholic Rural Movement, upon
a report of an answer by him on a Melbourne television show on
Sunday night, the Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Trade,
Mr. McEwen, said:-
" I made two points. First that considerations of trade
writh mainland China would definitely not influence the Government's
policy regarding political recognition of the Communist Chinese
Government. I then added that if the present Government of mainland
China remained the Government and it certainly appeared that that
was likely then in due course, at some point of time, the fact would
be recognised by all countries as it has already been recognised by
the United Kingdom and most great powers.
' In reply to a further question, I added that the recent
visit to Australia of officials of the Government Trading Agency of
mainland China had no significance whatever to the question of
politic. reconitjon by Australia. I pointed out that in any
Communist country all trading was necessarily conducted by officials
of govcrnr':. nt agencies,
" Tho recent Chinese buying and selling mission was not the
Wresult of any invitation or suggestion by the Australian Government.
" Mr, San'.-mlaria is quite wrong in suggesting that there has
been any shift of policy by the Australian Government. Considerations
Sof high policy will continue to decide our attitude to political
recognition of inainr. and China."
-Ir Mcvren added that he had forwarded to Mr. Santamaria
a transcription of the actual television interview which is recorded
as a normal practice by the television station and which made the
above quite clear.
CANBERRA, A. C. T.
2nd June, 1959 P. M. No. 17/ 1959-