TALKS ON DEFENCE
Meeting In Singapore (N-Z PA.-Rrul«r—CoovrtffM) SYDNEY. Mar. 20. The Australian Minister for Defence (Mr Athol Townley) left Sydney by air today for talks with the British Minister for Defence (Mr Harold Watkinson) in Singapore. Mr Townley said, before he left, that there was “nothing significant” in his trip. “There are always many things to discuss with Mr Watkinson, and I hope to spend three days of informal discussions with him in Singapore,” Mr Townley said.
“We knew Mr Watkinson was visiting the Far East and we invited him to visit Australia, but has commitments did not allow him to do so. “So he invited me and the New Zealand Minister for Defence. We will discuss many general matters, but there is nothing of grave importance that has prompted this flight”
Mr Townley said there still was no doubt that the military base at Singapore would continue after the formation of tire Greater Malaysia state. He added: “Butterworth and the other Australian bases in Malaya definitely will remain much the same as they are because. with them we gain defence in depth, we are assisting friendly nations, and. if ever they get into trouble, we shall have a past record to show what we are willing to do on our own.”
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Bibliographic details
Press, Volume CI, Issue 29778, 22 March 1962, Page 15
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213TALKS ON DEFENCE Press, Volume CI, Issue 29778, 22 March 1962, Page 15
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