N.Z’s Role In Vietnam

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31082, 10 June 1966, Page 3

N.Z’s Role In Vietnam

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 9. The Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) said today that New Zealand troops in Vietnam had been given “specific instructions” not to become involved in the settlement of civil disturbances.

They would not be employed for any purpose other than that for which they were originally sent, Mr Holyoake told Parliament.

Mr Holyoake said the troops were in Vietnam purely to assist the people in their struggle against Communist North Vietnam’s aggression. “The political future of South Vietnam is for the South Vietnamese people alone to decide,” he said. “That is what this war is all about.” Foreign Decorations Mr Holyoake also said New Zealand traditionally followed the British custom whereby foreign decorations might be accepted and worn only with the express permission of the Queen. Formal notification of the

campaign ribbon issued by the South Vietnam Government had not been received from that government, so that technically he was not yet able to take official note of it He told Parliament that the position was being investigated and he hoped to make a more definite statement on the subject soon. Mr Holyoake said that the Government was particularly conscious of the United Nations involvement in Vietnam.

It was a matter of regret to New Zealand that the recent discussions on the Vietnam war had failed, he said.