MORE DEFENCE TALKS SOON

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30980, 9 February 1966, Page 1

MORE DEFENCE TALKS SOON

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, February 8. The Cabinet had agreed that New Zealand should • play a full part in future defence discussions, the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) said tonight.

Mr Holyoake’s statement came after a two-day Cabinet meeting at which the Minister of Defence (Mr Eyre) reported on last week’s defence talks in Canberra between New Zealand, Australia and Britain.

The Prime Minister said the discussions were only the start of a process that would lead ultimately to new defence arrangements in South-east Asia. Further consultations would be held.

Discussions on the future shape, size and deployment of the various forces needed to ensure continued political stability in the South-east Asian area began at the ministerial talks in Canberra. A more detailed examination of base facilities was also initiated by military staff. Mr Holyoake said it was now proposed that these talks should continue over the coming months. These would lead to further ministerial talks at “an appropriate time.” “The Cabinet agreed and instructed that New Zealand representatives should play

a full part in these discussions and studies and in any decisions taken later.” the Prime Minister said. He said that although no decisions were taken at last week’s talks, the exchange of views would help chart the course for a more co-opera-ive defence policy in Southeast Asia in the 1970 s and later. "This would undoubtedly be in New Zealand’s longterm interests,” he said. It was known that no policy decisions would be taken at the talks. Mr Holyoake recalled the long-range nature of the talks was further emphasised recently by the Australian Prime Minister (Mr Holt) who said they were not only talking about the 1970 s but up to the 19905. He said Mr Eyre’s report confirmed that New Zealand played its full role in the defence talks as it would in future discussions. The Cabinet endorsed the Defence

Minister’s report and proposals for future discussions.

The Prime Minister said it was clear that a new situation was emerging in which Britain would not be able to police so much of the world on its own, and that closer co-operation between Britain. Australia, New Zealand and the United States would be necessary. i “It should be understood that the essential purpose of the visit of the British Minister of Defence (Mr Healey) to Washington and Canberra was to give a preview of Britain’s defence review,” said Mr Holyoake. The review will appear soon in a White Paper on defence after the British Cabinet has come to a decision on the shape and size of Bri(tain’s defences. Mr Holyoake confirmed that New Zealand and Australian representatives at the talks pressed the claims of the area threatened by Communist China to ensure that significant reductions did not occur in South-east Asia—“the region so vital to our own security. “To the Australian and New Zealand delegations this seemed all the more essential since the threat to world peace has shifted from Europe to Asia. “They emphasised the j absolute necessity for Britain .to retain its global role by ( maintaining its presence in . substantial strength in this , region, and that New Zealand and Australia were still and would remain in the future as in the past, loyal | and substantial allies,” said (Mr Holyoake. Mr Holyoake said the Cabinet had been reassured by Mr Eyre’s report of Britain’s determination to continue its world-wide defence role on the basis of co-operation with her allies and that she had no intention of withdrawing from her commitments in South-east Asia It was also clear that BritI ain would remain in the Singapore base as long as possible and that there would be no significant reduction in the size of the defence forces there while confrontation continued, said Mr Holyoake.