Memorandum of Conversation with Secretary of State Dean Acheson, a Delegation from New Zealand, Elbert Mathews, and G. Hayden Raynor

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65 5613 MA DEPARTMENT OF STATE 45 MEMORANDUM OF CONVERSATION DATE: February 8, 1951 SUBJECT: an United states-Now 7ealand Rolations and Other Matters. PARTICIPANTS: Prime Minister Holland, New Zealand Sir Carl Berendsen, New Zealand Ambassador Mr. A. D. McIntosh, Permanent Head of the Prime Minister's Department and Secrotar" of External Affairs, New Zealand Secretary Acheson Mr. Elbert Vathews, SOA Mr. Hayden Raynor, BNA COPIES TO : U BNA G F. Mr. Thorp EUR American Embassy, Wellington FE - Mr. Rusk American Eubassy, London NEA - McGhee : General Ess ARCHIVES REGORDE AHD BOVERWORD The Prime Minister opened the conversation by stating that this was the first time he had been in the United States in his present capacity. He said he wished to extend the compliments of his Government tn the American people, to the Prosident and to the Secretary for all of whom his Government and people had the highest regard. After a further exchange of amenities the Prime Minister talked for some time, making the following major points: 1. New Zealand is British, 90 to 95 per cent of the population being of British ex'raction, and proud of it. Despite this affinity for the British people and for the United Kingdom they have the warmest remard for the United States and our people and realize that the security of Now Zealand is largely dependent on the United States. DECLASSIFIED STATE DEPT. MEMO 8-1-24 2. In the SECRE' Project NLT 82-4 By NLT- He NARS, Dati 9-5-L4