‘U.K. Not Withdrawing"

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30975, 3 February 1966, Page 1

‘U.K. Not Withdrawing"

(N.Z. Press Association)

WELLINGTON. February 2

The Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) said tonight that the British Defence Minister (Mr Denis Healey) had given an assurance that Britain had no intention of withdrawing from her South-east Asian commitments.

He said Mr Healey also had 'assured that British reductions in expenditure would result in little reduction in military capability. Mr Holyoake said newspaper reports and cables supported the Government’s attitude and approach to the discussions and the composition of “the very strong New Zealand delegation." The British had naturally informed the Government of the long-range nature of the talks well in advance of the event, the statement continued. This information was then confidential but on the basis of it the Government had decided that a strong New Zealand delegation headed by the Minister of Defence (Mr Eyre) was the appropriate representation. “Uninformed Comment”

“Previously there had been much unfortunate uninformed comment suggesting that immediate, panic measures might be pressed for at Canberra.

“Such comments may have given the impression that the British Government was sending its Minister of Defence to Canberra to inform her Allies that she was retreating almost immediately from military I

participation in South-east Asia and that Australia and New Zealand would therefore have to make tremendously increased contributions in the area immediately.” Mr Holyoake said however that press reports were now revealing what the Government had known all along, that almost the opposite was the case.

He said Mr Healey had given an assurance that Britain had no intention of withdrawing from her South-east Asian commitments and that reductions in expenditure would result in little reduction in military capability. “Mr Healey had surely dispelled the earlier rash speculation in his only major public comment on the matter when he stressed that the meeting would be talking more about the 1970 s than the present. “This puts the talks in pro- ; per perspective,” said Mr Holyoake.

The New Zealand delegation also included the Chief of Defence Staff (LieutenantGeneral L. W. Thornton, and the Secrettary of External Affairs (Mr A. D. Mclntosh). Mr Holyoake said the dele gation had played its full part jn h dis;cussion s and their , report would be given immediate consideration by the

Government.