N.Z. POLICY IN ASIA

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27426, 12 August 1954, Page 11

N.Z. POLICY IN ASIA

“Adjustment” Held Necessary (Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) ' (Rec. 10 p.m.) LONDON, August 11. Australia and New Zealand wou’d have to adjust their view of policyand their military responsibilities as the result of France’s “humiliation” in Indo-China and the advance of communism, says the Jortnightly magazine “New Commonwealth.” “A-rude shock has been administered to Australia and New Zealand—or it should have been,” the magazine says. “Logically both countries should be working together and repairing their defences. They should, too. be reexamining their security in the light of Britain’s withdrawal from the Suez.

“They should consider their attitude to any association, however loose, for the defence of South-east Asia—which means developing military power to carry out any responsibilities they undertake.”

In an article in the same issue. Rear-Admiral A. D. Nichol, formerly Director of Naval Intelligence of the Royal Australian Navy, who served on the British War Cabinet secretariat, discusses Commonwealth and colonial policy on naval bases as* a result of the evacuation of British forces from Suez. Pointing out that the naval forces of Australia and New Zealand would make a valuable contribution to allied naval strength in the Far East, he says: “In any future war it is probable that as in the Second World War Australia and New Zealand would constitute an important support area. Sydney provided an easily-protected base for a large fleet; Darwin, Auckland, Wellington and other bases would be available.” Rear-Admiral Nichol concludes: *Britain herself is unable to bear as large a part of the Commonwealth defence burden as in the past and unless the Commonwealth countries accept a greater share, their own security will suffer. This is largely realised and the growth of local defence forces, trained on identical lines with the forces of the Mother Country, is evidence of the fact. If however members of the Commonwealth are to be able to rally to one another’s aid in time of danger, bases must be available. It is in the best interests of the Commonwealth countries that they should co-operate to the maximum extent their power in the maintenance of bases in their territory.”