Better Defence And Welfare “Indispensable” To Asia

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27911, 7 March 1956, Page 13

Better Defence And Welfare “Indispensable” To Asia

[N.Z.P.A. Staff Correspondent) KARACHI March 6. tween the M

KARACHI, Marcn b. New Zealand's Minister of External Affairs (Mr T. L. Macdonald) told the SEATO Council meeting today that better defence and greater welfare were both indispensable to the SEATO area. “Alone we shall have neither. Together, in co-operation, we may have both. We want those economic studies of the last year to be completed, and we want the study to be followed up by action,” he said. “We have before us a number of recommendations designed to strengthen jpvery branch of SEATO’s work and 1 shall single out the type of development which appeals to us as worth exploring. “The defensive or military side of SEATO is only a means to an end. that end being the maintenance of peace. In its military aspect SEATO is a protective shield. Behind that shield are the members of SEATO, pledged by the Manila Treaty to busy themselves by their own efforts, and in co-operation with their fellow members, with those highly important things of life which concern the material and spiritual well-being of their peoples. Malayan Self-Government “Among the events which have occurred in the treaty area in the last year I cannot but single out the successful result of the negotiations be-

tween the Malayan Federation and the United Kingdom Government. “This is a great event in the history of the area, indeed in human history. It is the kind of thing that SEATO collectively, and its members individually, stand for —that people should be free and stay free. As a people who were themselves brought to independence under British tutelage —and we know no better training for the responsibilities of nationhood — New Zealanders congratulate the Malayan people on the achievement of self-government, and look forward to strengthening the friendship already firmly established between our country and the Malayan people." Mr Macdonald said the developments in Malaya were a reminder—though reminders should not be needed—that in the Manila Treaty and the Pacific Charter, the SEATO members did not make mere paper pledges. “Likewise, our pledge to resist aggression is no paper pledge. We believe that this unmistakable determination to defend our freedom will make it less likely that we shall ever be forced to use our military strength. “There are better ways of spending money than on guns. Defence, as 1 have said, is a means to an end, but the means must be effective. The shield must be strong enough for its purpose We shall do our part to ensure that it is. “We do not overrate this side of SEATO’s activities, but we do take it seriously. We cannot but take it seriously because on its success much also depends.

“I am confident that this meeting will make SEATO still more effective as an organisation. Bat SEATO is not just a matter of organisation. It is a thing of the spirit. It is the embodiment of the belief that free, equal nations of widely different cultures and traditions can. by standing firmly together, prevent ijl befalling any one of them and can ensure for the people of all a richer, happier existence. “An organisation founded on such a spirit can threaten no-one. nor can it ever be exclusive. The door of such an organisation is and must always be open to those who wish to share these obligations and benefits,” Mr Macdonald said.