Surgical Team And Grant For Vietnam

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30534, 1 September 1964, Page 1

Surgical Team And Grant For Vietnam

(.Vcio Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, August 31. The Government has decided to send a surgical team to Vietnam undef the Colombo has also paid the first instalment on a grant of £70,000 for a building for the science faculty of the University of Saigon. In a prepared statement, the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) said tonight the Government was anxious to do what it could to help the Vietnamese people to raise their standard of living as well as to maintain their independence.

With this purpose in mind it was maintaining and developing New Zealand’s aid to Vietnam in the civilian field under the Colombo Plan.

“Because of the difficulties created by the the Communist Viet Cong terrorists it has not been easy to find suitable civilian projects for New Zealand aid, but these two are both sound and well worth supporting,” he said.

The two New Zealand surgical teams which had been sent to Qui Nhon in central Vietnam—the one led by Mr M. E. Shackleton, of Dunedin, last year, and the one headed by Mr C. Maclaurin, of Auckland, which was still there —had done fine work, said Mr Holyoake. “They have carried out an Increasing number of operations—many of them, though by no means all. on civilians injured in the attacks by the Viet Cong rebels. Impressed “They have also made a very favourable impression on all with whom they have been associated.

“1 am very pleased New Zealand has been able to make such a real contribution to the relief of suffering and to the health of the people of Vietnam. •“I do hope that, in spite of the present disturbances there, people with the high qualifications required—surgeons, anaesthetists and nurses—will once again come forward to take part in this humane effort.” Biggest Item Mr Holyoake said the grant of £70.000 for the University of Saigon was the biggest single item of assistance New Zealand had so far given to Vietnam. This grant, originally ap- ' Droved in 1959, would finance the construction of a geology, zoology and physiology block in the new university complex which was being built 1 about 10 miles out of Saigon.

The plans had been studied by experts in New Zealand and a number of their suggestions incorporated. A contract had been let and it was expected the building would be completed within a year.