BASES IN MALAYA

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30058, 16 February 1963, Page 8

BASES IN MALAYA

Advantages To N.Z. Seen

From New Zrotand's point of view the basing of its military force* in Malaya had several advantages the Ashbunton Rotary Club wa* told by Captain J. T. Shaw, who spent two years with the Army battalion in Malaya

By having a base ertablisbed there. New Zealand force* obtained experience in living in tropical cltoatef—a condition wMch could not be imitated anywhere in thia country, he said. Troops also gained experience in living with Asians. They learnt the Asiatic custom* and language, and gained practical experience of combined Commonweedth operations.

“It also gives Us depth in our defence, and a boot north of Indonesia, which I think is essential today.” Captain Shaw explained. He stressed that these were his personal opinions, and did not come from any other sources.

Captain Shaw said he was now attached to the Second Battalion which wee training for Malaya and was due to leave next November. The First Battalion which had gone over there had been engaged in anti-terrortot work, but troops were now being trained for a major war.

The recent emergency m Malaya had cost a total of one and a half billion dollars, and had taken some of the money the Malayan Government had put aetde for its major projects. Malaya's prices for iit* rubber produce had not come up to expectations. and these were two of the reasons the Mme Minister of Malaya felt the Malaysian Federation would be beneficial. Such a federation would also bring Western aid more quickly, in hie opinion. Captain Shaw said the proposed federation, which included Malaya, Singapore. British Borneo. Brunei and Sarawak, had several pointe in its favour. AU the countries involved had a common currency; the same British and Chinese firm* ran the shipping and airlines, and the official language was English. The predominant religion was Moslem in ail the countries. If Malaya and Singapore combined, however, the Chinese would have a majority. Captain Shaw said. “The Malays are a little scared of this, and feel the Chinese tend to regard their racial background of Red Ch.ria more than Malaya” A* far as he could see, Indonesia was also proCommunist, Captain Shaw added.

From the British point of view there were three critical pointe about the federation which had to be considered: the maintenance of a decent standard of adminisxetlon, the degree of autonomy which wa* going to be enjoyed by the component countries, and the continuance of the British bases in Singapore, Captain Shaw aaid.

Boeing Delayed.—The United State* Military Air Transport Service Boeing 707. which was to have arrived at Christchurch airport tomorrow, is now due to land about 7.30 a.m. on Monday It will leave again at 1230 pm. on Tuesday.