ALLIANCE IN ASIA

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27471, 4 October 1954, Page 11

ALLIANCE IN ASIA

‘Disappointment’ In Australia (N.Z. Press Association —Copyright) (Rec. 10.30 p.m.) SYDNEY, October 3. A Canberra dispatch to the "SunHerald” says that Australia is pressing for a stronger military alliance among members of the South-east Asia collective defence treaty. The message says that the Commonwealth Government is disappointed with the outcome of the Manila conference last month. 'While it agrees that the treaty is a valuable first step in an Asian defence programme, it is anxious to see more "teeth" in the agreement. “The Commonwealth Government is known to be disappointed that the signatory nations, particularly the United States, played down the military planning aspect of the treaty,” says the dispatch. “Australia nad hoped for a concrete agreement on the lines of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. This would have entailed a strong defence force comprising commitments from each signatory nation permanently stationed in the area.” The Canberra dispatch says it is known that the United States is not prepared to go ahead with military planning under the present treaty until after the United States election next month. Meanwhile military planning for the area is beipg confined to negotiations between Australia, Britain, and New Zealand. No full-scale discussions will be possible until a majority of the signatory nations have ratified the Manila Agreement.