N.Z. Aid Appreciated In Malaysia And Thailand

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30226, 3 September 1963, Page 15

N.Z. Aid Appreciated In Malaysia And Thailand

The significance of the crash programme to raise the standard of living in Thailand and Malaysia, and the part played by New Zealand, were two of the aspects dealt with by Dr. M. M. Bums, director of Lincoln College, in an address arranged by the Rangiora Jaycee chapter.

Dr. Burns has made visits to both countries on behalf of the New Zealand Government to advise on the setting up of agricultural colleges there.

Although New Zealand aid, v as small compared with programmes undertaken by some of the larger countries such; as the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, and Australia, New Zealand adv.ce and physical aid were highly valued in both areas, especially Malaya, according to Dr. Burns. Some of the a.d given by other nations was considered by the recipients to have a “price tag” zached or was regarded as an insurance payment. N.Z. Aid

New Zealand aid was regarded differently, however/ said Dr. Burns. Anything New Zealand gave, the recipients felt was given in a sincere effort to help. There was no need for New Zealand to make insurance payments to safeguard itself, as toe livable parts were already fairly well settled; toe country was "too darned cold” for people from Malaya anyhow; and, finally, New Zealand was too small to threaten.

New Zealand was highly regarded in Malaya, but was

not quite so well known in Thailand, said Dr. Burns. New Zealanders had been in Malaya for a comparatively long time and several held quite important posts. The New Zealand forces had a good name too. Dr. Burns dealt with toe importance of Thailand and Malaya as two relatively stable countries acting as a buffer between the Communist countries further to the north and Australia, in particular, in the south. Multiracial Problems

Dr. Burns described the topography of toe two countries, the problems created by their multiracial population, particularly in Malaya, and the importance of their primary and secondary industries.

Malaya was toe most stable country in South-east Asia, said Dr. Burns, and most countries going into this area established their branches in toe most stable country. It was an international centre.

After toe formal address. Dr. Burns showed colour slides of toe primary industries and the modern buildings erected in remarkably short times, to illustrate the potential of the countries and toe growth and development that was taking place. Development

Development in Thailand' was now being extended from toe big population centres to toe north-eastern rural areas. A survey had been made to plan a programme of river control, irrigation, transport, agricultural development, education needs, hospitals, and all sorts of community aspects. Dr. Burns's part had been to make investigations concerning toe setting up of an agricultural college. In toe north-east, 90 per cent of the population were farmers on privately owned blocks of ; 10 to 12 acres. Imagine a I family of six getting a living from such an area, said Dr. ; Burns referring to the importance of toe development programme. Stop and Look Malaysia could be importi ant to New Zealand economically according to Dr. Burns. While there was a popular ; conception that these coun- ' tries consisted of masses of i poor, there was also great ! wealth, and 10 per cent of ‘ toe population was very | wealthy. Because of the enormous population that 10 per cent was sufficient to buy all toe produce New Zealand could send. The Thais and Malays were delightfully friendly and generous people, but they disliked being pushed around,

said Dr. Burns. The Malays were like Maoris —“I think they are Maoris.” They were capable of intensely hard work but they did, not like continuous work. They liked to work and then be able to enjoy their leisure. “Stop and have a look at it” was the recommendation of Dr. Bums to New Zealanders considering trips overseas. when summing up his attitude to Malaya and Thailand. Malaya was a vigorous, dynamic country with friendly people and diverse ; interests.