DEFENCE TALKS IN CANBERRA

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28368, 29 August 1957, Page 13

DEFENCE TALKS IN CANBERRA

Communique On Mr ■ Sandys’s Visit (N.Z. Press Association—Copynphtj (Rec. 11 p.m.) CANBERRA, August 28. The British Defence Minister, Mr Duncan Sandys, has assured the Australian Government that Britain will maintain substantial land, sea and air forces in South-east Asia and the Far East and that the Far East Fleet will continue to be based on Singapore. This was announced in a communique issued tonight by Mr Sandys and the Australian Government at the end of defence talks.

The communique said that although the number of British troops in South-east Asia -would be reduced the reduction would be largely offset byincreased mobility and striking power.

Mr Sandys will'go to New Zealand on Friday. The talks between Mr Sandys and the Australian Prime Minister, Mr Menzies, and Australian Cabinet Ministers and the Defence Committee centred principally on the defence problems of Southeast Asia. The communique said that the two countries agreed that S.E.A.T.O. was the prime instrument for the defence of the Southeast Asian area and that every effort must be made to ensure the effectiveness of 5.E.A.T.0., both as a means of deterring aggression and as stabilising factor for the countries concerned. It said that Britain and Australia had discussed the size and composition of the forces which the two Governments were planning to contribute initially to the defence of the area, but It gave no details.

“Nuclear Deterrent” The communique said that the Australian Government fully supported the British decision to go ahead with the development and production of nuclear weapons, thereby making a British contribution to the nuclear deterrent upon which, pending disarmament, the peace of the world so largely depended. Mr Sandys had explained to the Australian Government the principles underlying Britain’s new defence policy and had said that its prime objective was not so much to prepare for war as to prevent it. The use of military resources was being replanned to concentrate them where they would produce the maximum effect, said the communique. The exchange of information about future plans had been extremely useful and the talks undoubtedly would help to make the British and Australian defence operation still closer and more effective. A.N.Z.A.M. Rc iewed

The two Governments had reviewed the progress of the A.N.Z.A.M. defence organisation in the light of the recent meeting between the British, Australian and New Zealand chiefs of staffs.

It was agreed that this organisation greatly facilitated the study of common defence problems in South-east Asia and would help ensure that the contributions of the three countries to the S.E.A.T.O. alliance were made as effective as possible. The Australian Government had confirmed that in addition to. the Australian forces already serving in the Commonwealth strategic reserve in Malaya, its plans provided for increased mobility of the army and air force. This included the creation of a mobile brigade group based in Australia which would be readily available if needed.

(Mr Menzies last April announced the formation of the brigade group which he said would consist of 4000 troops trained to the highest pitch, equipped with the most modern weapons available. He said then that the brigade would be in addition to an infantry battalion group now serving in Malaya.l “Continuation” The communique said that Mr Sandys’s visit had provided a valuable opportunity for a thorough exchange of views on defence matters of common concern.

The discussions were a continuation of meetings which Mr Menzies and the Australian Defence Minister, Sir Philip McBride, had with the British Government in London last month. The Australian Government was pleased to note that Britain would continue to maintain in Europe, the Middle East and the Far East substantial, conventional forces, said the communique. Mr Sandys had expressed his appreciation of the invaluable co-operation of the Australian Government and services in the development of atomic weapons and guided rockets, and of the fine progress he had seen during his visit to the Woomera rocket range and the Maralinga atomic testing ground.