Treaty Members ‘Not Welshing’

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31093, 23 June 1966, Page 3

Treaty Members ‘Not Welshing’

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 22. Although three members of the South-East Asia Treaty Organisation were not giving military aid to South Vietnam they were not welshing on their commitments, the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) said in Parliament today.

Britain was precluded from military participation in the Vietnam conflict because of her position as co-chairman of the 1954 Geneva Conference on Vietnam. “Everybody understood” why France and

Pakistan were not Involved, Mr Holyoake said. “But the British Labour Government Is 100 per cent behind military contributions sent by those members of S.E.A.T.O. who can contribute aid,” he said. Mr D. Maclntyre (Govt., Hastings) had asked if there was any truth in the statement that the S.E.A.T.O. council had never met to discuss the question of New Zealand aid to South Vietnam. “The assertion is definitely and obviously not correct,” Mr Holyoake said.

The last two annual meetings of the S.E.A.T.O. Council had dealt at length with the Vietnam War. Quoting from an External Affairs Review, he read: “Member Governmentsagreed to continue and increase their assistance to South Vietnam —consistent with their other obligations.” “This is precisely what New Zealand is doing,” Mr Holyoake said. Replying to Mr A. J. Faulkner (Opp., Roskill), he said: “Nobody is forced to, but each Government considers its responsibility in accordance with due constitutional

procedures. “We recognised we had this responsibility and we have acted accordingly,” he said. Mr Faulkner: Are S.E.A.T.O. members unanimous? Mr Holyoake: The decision was passed unanimously by all members of the S.E.A.T.O. Council.

Mr S. A. Whitehead (Opp, Nelson): Did the resolution stipulate military aid? Mr Holyoake: A communique unanimously stated that the defeat of the Communist campaign was essential, not only for South Vietnam, but for South-east Asia. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition (Mr Watt): Was it a unanimous decision of S.E.A.T.O. that all members of S.E.A.T.O. should give military aid to South Vietnam?

Mr Holyoake: New Zealand could have welshed on its responsibilities. New Zealand does not have to give aid to South Vietnam. Mr Whitehead: Are those members of S.E.A.T.O. not giving military aid welshing? Mr Holyoake: I have no responsibility for any other country, but I think everybody understands the position of Britain, France and Pakistan.