POLITICAL OUTLOOK

Taupo Times, Volume XIV, Issue 67, 26 August 1965, Page 2

POLITICAL OUTLOOK

Unless Australia and New Zealand combine into one Anzac nation — a possibility which is not being considered seriously on either side — New Zealand armed forces will not be integrated in any way with tliose of Australia. This is stated by a high political authority, who gives the following points as reasons: © New Zealand's armed forces are the instruments of New Zealand policy. If they were integrated with Australian forces, New Zealand would have no force of her own, and would be foreed to act always according to Australian policy. • Though basically Australia and New Zealand think alike, there have already been differences in foreign policy. Australia for instance wanted to intervene forcibly when Indonesia was moving to take over Western New Guinea '(West Irian), and had to be dissuaded by Britain and New Zealand. • Integration with Australia would mean a common defence expenditure — - .

which would mean that New Zealand would have to find £60 million this year instead of the £40 million approved. New Zealand policy is to keep the three services so they can fight alongside Australian, United Kingdom and United . States forces, but retain their own identity. This means co-operation in the ordering of weapons, equipment and supplies, and parallel training programmes — but not integration in any form. * * * Another form of integration which has been discarded — it was stongly hinted at some months ago — is the creation of a special force under one commander, in which all New Zealand services wonld take part. This force would have been an amphibious one based on the United States Marines. It would have its own land force, its own ships, and its own aircraft — but would have been trained to operate on its own, if necessary, as a task force.

The idea has been disearded simply because it would not prove feasible. New Zealand could not support such a force on its own, and the force would be of an unhandy size — too small for solo operation, and too big for effective co-operation with other forces. * * * Graduates of nearly thirty United Kingdom agricultural colleges are being asked whether they would like to complete their postgraduate work in New Zealand. This privately - sponsored scheme is one way by which shortage of farm labour may be overcome and the general standard or farm production raised. The scheme, which is akin to the farm youth exchange scheme in operation between the United Kingdom and the United States, is expected to be a big success — if New Zealand farmers come forward to sponsor it. The idea is that the New Zealand farmers advance part of the fares of the graduate, who "works it off" in New Zealand, at the same time learning farm management and where possible furthering his studies at Massey and Lincoln. The American scheme has proved to be a great success, but has had one shortcoming. Work permits are hard to get in the United States. This handicap does not apply to New Zealand, where United Kingdom citizenship is sufficient to ensure entry. * * * The possibility that Sir Leslie Munro, the Government member for Waipa, might be appointed Chief Justice. in. succession, to Sir Harold Barrowclough is causing speculation in Wellington. Sir Harold is due to retire later this year and although the principal candidates for the post are considered to be the solicitorgeneral, Mr H. R. C. Wild,

and Mr E. D. Blundell, a prominent member of the Wellington legal fraternity, Sir Leslie's name is frequently mentioned in discussions concerning a successor.

— N.Z.C.N.A. News Service.