OBLIGATIONS OF A.N.Z.U.S.

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29832, 26 May 1962, Page 5

OBLIGATIONS OF A.N.Z.U.S.

“New Malaysia A Problem”

New Zealand’s future depended more than ever on honouring treaty obligations with the United States So many limitations would be placed on the defence forces about. Singapore when they came under the control of Malaysia that New Zealand would be depending on Australia—"and both countries will have to beg help from the United States in a big way." said Mr G Bums in an address to the 80 guests who attended the Commonwealth Day dinner held by the Canterbury branch of the Royal Commonwealth Society. Mr Burns, who spoke on “Malaysia, Indonesia, and New Zealand,” said that not so long ago the United States saved Australia and New Zealand, and that when Mr Dean Rusk, the United States Secretary of State, was here recently he made it clear that his country expected New Zealand to honour its agreement under the AN.ZU.S. Pact.

The new Malaysia was going to be a great problem for Australia and New Zealand because the Singapore naval base and two air force bases and the strategic military reserve stationed in that area would be in the heart of this new federation, he said. Tunku Abdul Rahman, the Prime Minister of Malaya, had made it plain that the future use of these forces would be decided by his Parliament, said Mr Burns. “They do not want to lose the bases because many thousands depend on them for livelihood.”

This meant that Australia and New Zealand would have to become a great deal more dependent on themselves for defence, and the goodwill of the United States must be fostered, he said.