N.Z. AND SOUTH VIETNAM Divergent Opinions On Course To Be Taken

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30471, 19 June 1964, Page 1

N.Z. AND SOUTH VIETNAM Divergent Opinions On Course To Be Taken

(From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, June 18. A standing New Zealand force for United Nations peacekeeping assignments was advocated in Parliament this evening by Sir Leslie Munro (Govt., Waipa).

He called for the ear-marking of a force of appropriate size in his maiden speech during the Address-in-Reply debate.

Dr. A. M. Finlay (Opp., Waitakere) also chose foreign affairs for his theme in the debate.

He argued that while the Viet Cong forces in South Vietnam might get supplies from China and North Vietnam, New Zealand should not commit armed forces to support the South Vietnamese regime until there were proof of foreign aggression.

It was playing with words, he said, to describe New Zealand’s contingent of army engineers as non-combatant.

Sir Leslie Munro said: “We would remain judge of whether we made the force available on any particular occasion. I say such a move would be worthy of our study and of our reputation, and consistent with our resources.” Warning Given He warned that in spite of division between Communist China and the Soviet Union, reconciliation could come with “startling rapidity.” “In spite of the division, the Soviet Union has not abandoned its- policy of subversion and its determination to spread communism throughout the world,” he said. “Tensions with Communist China have weakened the Soviet Union’s military position. Although China does not yet possess nuclear weapons, it is apparently ready to fight a war, even a nuclear war. “Our future is linked with the future of South Vietnam. There is ample reason for ■ criticism of various governments in South-east Asia. But 'they are on the periphery. “South Vietnam is independent. It is justified in defending itself and it is justified in asking for help. “We are helping with economic and with non-combat-ant aid.

“I think we should, even in the smallest degree, share the burden of the United States in a joint effort to establish peace and security in an area vital to this country,” said Sir Leslie Munro. Proof Sought New Zealand should seek proof of aggression in South Vietnam, said Dr. Finlay. If the United Nations, upon an investigation, found there was aggression then, if New Zealand aid were sought, it should be neither token nor niggardly, he said. . “Otherwise, let us keep our armed forces out;” The Government had arranged the dispatch of an engineering unit to South Vietnam. 25 men described as a non-combatant group. “It is playing with words to adopt this course. It" is as if to say the people who man an A-bomber are noncombatant except for the man who releases the bomb. Without engineers an Army cannot fight. i After the fall of the Diem

regime the Department of External Affairs had credited the new Government with facing obligations to lay the foundations of a democratic regime. This had said it was tackling the same problems with vigour.' “The opposition to successive governments in Vietnam crystallised in the Viet Cong,” said Dr. Finlay. It was probably supplied by North Vietnam and China though the bulk of the equipment captured from the Viet Cong was of United States manufacture and taken from the South Vietnamese forces. “It, is nothing but another example of the move towards Communist domination, but the Viet Cong group has become ■ the only effective vehicle of protest under three successive administrations.”

When there had been an earlier crisis in Laos, New Zealand’s external affairs had been in the hands .of Mr Nash, who demanded proof of foreign aggression.

A United Nations investigation showed there was no substance in allegations for aggression. “Until we know with certainty whether there is aggression in South Vietnam, and if so to what extent,' we should remain uncommitted,” Dr. Finlay said.