M.P.s Join The Tribe

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30129, 13 May 1963, Page 16

M.P.s Join The Tribe

(N.Z Press Association) AUCKLAND, May 12. New Zealand now has six blood-brother Montagnard tribesmen from South Vietnam in Parliament. Politically they may not see eye-to-eye, but blood brothers they will remain until the end of their days. The New Zealand tribesmen in Parliament are Messrs R. E. Jack, R. D. Muldoon and H. J. Walker —all members of the Government—and N. V. Douglas, H. L. J. May and A. J. Faulkner—members of the Opposition.

They were made blood brothers of the Montagnards when they visited the tribe during their recent tour of South-east Asia. Each now has a thin silver engraved bangle to wear around bis right wrist—the mark of the tribe. The Montagnards are among the people who received a shipment of New Zealand blankets when they were driven out of their hill homes by the Communist Viet Cong. They have now been re-settled on the lowlands near Dalat. Mr Douglas said today that the Montagnards were very grateful for

the blankets they received. “I think it was mainly because of this that they bestowed their highest honour on us—blood brothers of the tribe. They just wanted to say thanks in some way to New Zealand and we just happened along.” Mr Douglas said that the tribe was still in a desperate position. They were poorly clothed and fed. although their position would improve once they got gardens growing around their new village. The village was now being fortified to withstand surprise attacks from the Communists.