Liberals Against Asian Commitments

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31007, 12 March 1966, Page 15

Liberals Against Asian Commitments

(N.Z. Press Association —Copyright)

LONDON, March 11.

Britain’s Liberal Party has come out sharply against any further United Kingdom peace-keeping role east of Suez.

The party issued its election manifesto yesterday in which it set out its aims for attracting voters in the March 31 General Eiedtion. Like both the majority Labour and Conservative Parties, the Liberals plumped firmly for “home issues.” Its manifesto states on foreign policy: “Britain is a European power. We cannot afford to carry responsibilities everywhere and the east of Suez policy, persisted in by Labour, is as dubious politically as it is expensive militarily.” The Liberal leader, Mr Jo Grimond, introducing his party’s platform, said: “We are in favour of a shift ih foreign policy and defence nolicy away from the Indian Ocean and back into Europe. “While we should discharge our responsibilities in Malaysia we should look again at our policies in Asia.” Overwhelming Lead The party’s manifesto was issued as a national opinion poll stated the governing Labour Party now had an overwhelming 13.9 per cent lead over the Conservative Opposition and that the Liberal share of the vote was only 6.3 per cent. The Liberals, with nine votes in the House of Commons, have during the last year played a substantial role in some issues in helping Labour, with its majority of three, over some sticky patches. Mr Grimond said yesterday that his party hoped to in-

crease its position of strength in Parliament. The manifesto aims at catching some of the new immigrant vote by attacking the Government for its Commonwealth immigrant curbs. Mr Grimond said the party believed there should be some restrictions, but did not agree with Labour’s quota of 8500 a year. The quotas would be at a “higher level,” he said.