BATTALION IN MALAYA

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28543, 24 March 1958, Page 12

BATTALION IN MALAYA

Men In “Excellent Form” (New Zealana Press Assoctatkm) AUCKLAND, March 23. The men of the Ist Battalion, New Zealand Regiment, in Malaya were in excellent physical condition, said the Chief of the New Zealand General Staff (Major-General C. E. Weir) in Auckland yesterday. MajorGeneral Weir, who was returning from a S.E.A.T.O. conference in Manila, said he had been able to visit the regiment which was now deployed operationally against the terrorists. *T felt that they looked in extremely good form and I am sure they will give a good account of themselves,’* he said. Commenting on the S.E.A.T.O. meeting, Major-General Weir said the military ability of the eight member nations had improved greatly since its inauguration in 1954. They were now capable of defending the treaty area. “I Cm convinced S.E.A.T.O. is an excellent organisation,” he remarked. “It has strengthened those countries considerably and what is good for those countries strategically is good for New Zealand. Before the organisation was established I knew very few of the military leaders in SouthEast Asia. Now we all know each other and understand the problems involved.” Major-General Weir returned to Wellington during the weekend.