FOREIGN ISSUES

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30264, 17 October 1963, Page 17

FOREIGN ISSUES

‘Reason For Election’ (NJ. Pratt Attn.— Copyright) CANBERRA, Oct 16. Australia’s contract with the United States for a Navy radio installation “has not required or obtained a joint control of the station,” according to Sir Robert Menzies. Joint control would enable the Australian Government to veto the American use of the station in peace or in war. or require an Australian censorship of the messages transmitted, he said in the House of Representatives yesterday. The Labour Opposition in Parliament lids made it clear that should it come into office it will “re-negotiate” the treaty, and will insist upon joint control—that is, a veto by either party on the activities of the other.

The station is at present about to be constructed at the cost of many millions by the United States. “It is, in my submission, important that the interparty problem in Australia be resolved. In these international engagements, certainty is essential to security." Sir Robert Menzies said. The House is to be dissolved and the election campaign is expected to begin during the first week of November.

In his statement last night Sir Robert Menzies said that Australia is a Commonwealth country, with a significant voice in Commonwealth affairs.

Because of defence arrangements Sir Robert Menzies said the Government had in recent months entered into “an agreement with the United States for the establishment by it, on Australian territory in the north-west of Western Australia, of a naval radio-signalling station, the value and significance of which would, of course, be of the greatest urgency a.id moment in the event of a war in which the U.S.A. was engaged. “My Government believes that in any forseeable future any such war must be one of defence against Communist aggression, and that any such aggression would put the security of Australia at risk,” he said. “In short, in such events the U.S.A. forces would be defending Australia.”

Sir Robert Menzies said Australia's policy in Malaysia was another important reason for his election decision.

He said his Government had made a clear but unilateral declaration of its attitude to the new State of Malaysia. He was eager not to create or permit any ambiguity about Australia’s position in relation to Malaysia. “We have informed the Government of Malaysia and the Governments of the United Kingdom and New Zealand, and others concerned. that if there occurs in relation to Malaysia or any of its constituent States, armed invasion or subversive activity—supported or directed or inspired from outside Malaysia—we shall to the best of our powers and by such means as shall be agreed upon with the Government of Malaysia, add our military assistance in the defence of Malaysia’s territorial integrity and political independence," Sir Robert Menzies said.

The declaration had attracted international attention, and was of crucial importance in Australian foreign and defence policy, he said. “It is most important that the other nations concerned should know whether it carries the clear backing of the Australian people,” he said.