Wilson Attacked On S.E. Asia Statement

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31079, 7 June 1966, Page 20

Wilson Attacked On S.E. Asia Statement

(N.Z.P.A. Reuter—Copyright)

LONDON, June 6. The British Prime Minister was wrongly advised to reassure Australia hurriedly that Britain was not contemplating withdrawal from Southeast Asia, a Labour member, Mr Norman Atkin-

son, said on Friday night. The Parliamentary Labour Party meeting on May 25 clearly demonstrated backbench opinion that Britain should withdraw her forces completely from east of Suez, he said. Mr Atkinson, speaking at Sharpthorne, near East Grinstead, in Sussex, said a resolution on withdrawal was not put to the May 25 meeting.

“Nevertheless, I think the vote, when it is taken, will show overwhelming support in favour of withdrawal. The argument throughout the movement has been clear and encouraging and shows the trend for the Brighton conference of the party later this year.

“This, then, is even more

reason why Harold Wilson was wrongly advised to so hurriedly reassure the Australians that Britain was not contemplating withdrawal from South-east Asia. “Does this now mean that the Government is to ‘fly in the face’ of opinion throughout the movement? Do backbenchers now count for so little?”

He urged a push for immediate withdrawal.

“Let us not forget Australia has little complaint against such a British unilateral initiative, for it was the Australian Government which unilaterally decided to send troops to Vietnam against the advice of the British Government and the majority of Commonwealth Prime Ministers,” said Mr Atkinson,

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