CALL FOR PEACE

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29724, 18 January 1962, Page 13

CALL FOR PEACE

Washington Statement (N.Z.P. A.-Reuter—Copyright) WASHINGTON. January 17 The United States State Department called oir Holland and Indonesia today to avoid fighting and “get on with constructive steps toward peaceful negotiation” to settle the dispute over West New Guinea. The press officer, Mr Lincoln White, issued the statement in the wake of Monday’s naval engagement in which Dutch destroyers clashed with Indonesian torpedo boats. The United States, which regards both Holland and Indonesia as friends, has been seeking to promote peaceful solution. Mr White said yesterday: “In view of yesterday’s naval clash—and incidentally we still do not have any official reports on this—we consider it more important than ever that both sides co-oper-ate fully and without delay with the United Nations Sec-retary-General <U Thant) so as to avoid any further instance of this sort and to get on with constructive steps toward peaceful negotiation.” The intention in Washington, officials said, was to encourage U Thant not only in an effort to prevent further conflict but also in attempts to work out an honourable formula by which the administration of the Dutch colony could be transferred from the Hague to Djakarta

Liner’s Last Voyage

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—CopyrigM) SYDNEY, January 17. Sirens, hooters and whistles sounded as the liner, Strathnaver, the first of the P. and O. Company’s famous Strath ships, sailed down Sydney harbour today for the last time. Dressed from stem to stern with bunting and signal flags, the ship moved slowly under Sydney harbour bridge on the way to London. Nearly 2000 sightseers waved to passengers and crew lining the ship’s rail. Her master (Captain W. N. Eade), who sailed on the liner’s maiden voyage in 1931 as fourth officer, returned the farewells from the bridge.

Trainers Delivered.— The Indonesian Air Force has taken delivery of 55 Ameri-can-made Mentor training aircraft. —Djakarta, January 17.

U.K.-Italian Talks.— The British Prime Minister (IMr Macmillan) and the Italian Prime Minister (Mr Fanfani) will spend today in discussions on Berlin, the Common Market and other world problems.—London. January 17.