SOUTH-EAST ASIA

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27512, 20 November 1954, Page 6

SOUTH-EAST ASIA

“Situation More Dangerous”

MR MACDONALD IN N.Z. FOR TALKS

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, November 19. The situation in South-East Asia had become more dangerous with the Communists in northern Vietnam, said Mr Malcolm MacDonald, Commis-sioner-General for the United Kingdom in South-East Asia, when he arrived by air at Auckland today. Mr MacDonald, who will have talks with high Government circles in Wellington, said he was here to discuss the situation generally, not talk in terms of troops being sent. “Where’s Sir Edmund Hillary?’ he wanted to know, so that he could resume an acquaintance made in Singapore, and within a couple of hours of landing he was out paying a visit to an even older friend, Sir William Jordan, who is stiH recuperating after a recent operation. In Australia, Mr MacDonald discussed the general situation in SouthEast Asia, reported on what was going on in th£ different countries—lndoChina, Burma, Siam, and Malaya—and talked “in broad general terms about the defence of South-East Asia, either in a cold war or in hot.” “We were not discussing any proposals about troops being sent, or anything like that,” he said. "We were just considering the general requirements of defence. It will be the same sort of thing here. We will have a general survey on the situation in South-East Asia, and I will be reporting facts and problems to the Prime Minister (Mr Holland) and his colleagues.” Vietminh Communists The Vietminh communists were now in control of Northern Vietnam and would undoubtedly try to extend their influence through into southern Vietnam and Laos and Cambodia, he said. %*

“This will be done by political and economic means ,not military means, at this stage at any rate,’” Mr MacDonald said. “But we have got to do what we can to counter their influence; and now that New Zealand and Australia and the United Kingdom are partners, not only in the Commonwealth, but in the SEATO arrangement, we want to consult on our policy for co-operation with Asian nations and other members of SEATO to protect South-East Asia against communist infiltration.” Asked if there were sufficient forces in the area, Mr MacDonald said: “At present in Malaya we are fighting communist terrorists. We have adequate military and police forces for that little shooting war.’’ However, if there was military aggression against South-East Asia, extra forces would naturally be required, and the nearer and more prepared the better. “But I am not making any specific proposals,” he emphasised again, “just considering the general situation and, Mr Macdonald, with Mr P. C. H. Holmer, a member of his foreign service staff, and Mr W. L. Middlemass, of the Internal Affairs Department, will leave tomorrow morning for Wellington, via Rotorua, Wairakei, and Waitomo. They will reach Wellington on Monday, and on that day Mr MacDonald will meet the Prime Minister On Wednesday he will return to Auckland and leave the same morning by air for Australia.