U.S. BASE IN AUSTRALIA

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30092, 28 March 1963, Page 20

U.S. BASE IN AUSTRALIA

“Outcome Of AJXXU.S.” (N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) CAiNiBBRiRA, March 26. The agreement between Australia and the United States for the establishment of an American naval communications station in Northwestern Australia tended to gnaw from the A.N.Z.US. pact, the Prime Minister (Sir Robert Menzies) said today. Jt did not replace the pact, he S 3 iH, The Prime ’Minister was answering Opposition questions in the House of Representatives. The issue over the station has come near to splitting the Labour Parity which finally agreed, by a narrow vote, to give it qualified support. The Prime Minister said the full terms of the agreement would be published in two or three weeks. The Opposition appeared to be beguiling themselves with the idea of a naval base, or a radio station surrounded by nuclear weapons, be said. The Prime Minister said that at no time had there been a proposal to establish an American military base m Australia. and there was none now. The terms of the AN.Z.US. pact, however, provided fine reasons for Australia stepping forward to give the United States the night to establish the radio communications centre. The Prime Minister said a bill to validate the agreement between Australia and the United States on the construction of the station would be introduced in Parliament soon.