N.Z. “Irrelevant” In Vietnam

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30956, 12 January 1966, Page 12

N.Z. “Irrelevant” In Vietnam

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) PERTH, January 11. A leading Asian theologian said in Perth today that the armed presence of New Zealand and Australia in Vietnam was entirely irrelevant.

Dr. D. T. Niles, of the Methodist Church of Ceylon, who is general secretary of the East Asia Christian Conference, said that Australia was helping to build up an image of America as a big brother with a big stick. He told a luncheon of 150 West Australian clergy, businessmen, politicians and teachers, that most Asians saw Australia’s policy as a simple uncritical support of the American line. “You (Australia) do not strengthen the hands of America by simply giving uncritical support because when you do this you are building up their image as a big brother —somebody whom you dare not criticise because eventually you may want their help.” The current American peace offensive seemed unrealistic

to Asians, who saw the Vietnam war as a conflict between the Viet Cong and the South Vietnamese Government. Peace approaches to Hanoi implied that it controlled the Viet Cong—a claim it had never made. Dr. Niles said that peace could come only through talks between the Viet Cong and the South Vietnamese Government. The armed presence of Australia and New Zealand in the dispute was quite irrelevant because they wanted to be in the good books of the American people, according to Asian thought, he said.