Macmillan Defends Defence Policy

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28528, 6 March 1958, Page 11

Macmillan Defends Defence Policy

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 9 p.m.) LONDON, March 4. The Prime Minister, Mr Macmillan, told a Conservative Party rally tonight that it would be folly to define the area between a major Soviet attack —which would be met with nuclear retaliation —and a minor incident. Mr Macmillan said that, according to the Government’s critics: “We are to tell the potential enemy just what they can do, just how far they can go and just how many provinces they can seize with impunity.

“But I would not call this preventing —I would call it an incitement to attack.

“I think the grey area, as it is called, had better be left grey, at any rate for the present.”

Mr Macmillan said there had been a misunderstanding, or misrepresentation, of the Government’s recent White Paper on defence.

This said that in the event of a major Russian aggression, even if only by conventional weapons, Britain and her Allies would be forced to use nuclear weapons in reply. "The word major is important fo-- it means the clear determination to attack Europe with highexplosive bombs and rockets and generally to enter upon the policy of conquest and oppression.” Mr Macmillan said that if there was a clear determination to conquer the world, the world must resist with all the forces it had. The way out of the struggle would not be found by throwing away our defence or having a form of defence leaving the West deprived of nuclear power but an easy prey for the enormous forces which could be brought against it.

“I feel in my heart that there may well be the same sense growing in Russia that, so long as the West holds up its guard, nothing can be achieved by aggression in the long run,” he said.