TNAG-0281-FCO40-317-Visit-of-the-Chancellor-of-the-Duchy-of-Lancaster-to-Hong-Ko-1970 — Page 35

CONFIDENTIAL

31

Mr. McEwen gave Mr. Rippon a Parliamentary lunch which was well attended by Ministers and senior officials, and I gave a dinner attended by representatives of industry and agriculture from Melbourne and elsewhere as well as by the Ministers and officials mainly concerned.

8. It was a pity that the Prime Minister was out of action and the two leading Liberal Ministers, Mr. McMahon and Mr. Bury, were attending international meetings overseas. Between them they would certainly have given Mr. Rippon a more balanced picture of Australia's reaction to our joining the Community. The fact is that the Country Party are playing internal politics and using the genuine problems which our entry will create for Australia as part of their perennial struggle to differentiate themselves from the Liberals and justify their existence as a separate party. Given the prospect of Mr. McEwen's retirement from politics early next year, Mr. Anthony, as Deputy Leader, clearly feels his chief's mantle falling on his shoulders, and has started to talk equally tough. From reactions in the Press and in the country (including Queensland which I recently visited) Australians as a whole seem at present to be rather bored with Mr. McEwen's campaign. This would of course change when our entry becomes more imminent.

Summary

9. It was a very useful visit. In a tactful and agreeable way Mr. Rippon was able to leave the Australians in no doubt of our real position.

CONFIDENTIAL