S.E.A.T.O. Essay Contest

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28930, 25 June 1959, Page 9

S.E.A.T.O. Essay Contest

The South-East Asia Treaty Organisation, whose ministerial council meeting was recently held in Wellington, is promoting a S.E.A.T.O. essay competition on the subject of “Collective Defence in South-east Asia.” It is hoped that this competition will appeal to university students and senior pupils of the secondary schools. Entrants must be not less than 17 years of age and not more than 21 years of age on January 1, 1959. Australia, France, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand, United Kingdom, and the United States have also sponsored similar competitions in recent months. Prize money totalling £B7 will be shared among the New Zealand finalists approximately as follows: First prize, £3O; second prize, £2O; third prize, £10; and nine prizes of £3 each for meritorious entries. Contestants are asked to specify their age as well as the educational institution they attend, and to forward their essays, which should be not more than 3500 words long, to the Department of External Affairs, Parliament Buildings, Wellington, before August 8, 1959. It is hoped to announce the results on, or before September 8, 1959, to mark the fifth anniversary of the signing of the Manila Pact. Prize-winning essays will subsequently be sent to S.E.A.T.O. headquarters in Bangkok and become the property of the organisation, which may publish them.