Recognise China

This is the second promise the Labour Government has kept. Indeed, Kirk rushed it with a flourish to try and build an image of his Government's difference from National. In fact, it followed Nixon's "new look" towards China and Mr Marshall admitted he also would have recognised China—though he would have bumbled about making the decision. It reflects the fact that the capitalist world has decided they now have to face the facts of the existence of the People's Republic of China. Recognition was a progressive (though not a socialist) move. However Mr Kirk is a lot less speedy giving effect to the decision, as compared with announcing it.