Whitehall Denies N.Z. Report

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30560, 1 October 1964, Page 1

Whitehall Denies N.Z. Report

{Special CrspcU. N.Z.P.A.) LONDON, Sept. 30. A report by the Wellington correspondent of the “Guardian” that New Zealand and Australia are lukewarm over the Malaysia struggle is described as “not 100 per cent accurate” by New Zealand circles in London. Whitehall comment is that there is no basis for the report, and that the British handling of the position has not been affected by the attitude of New Zealand and Australia.

The "Guardian” report says: “Although New Zealand has committed a battalion of troops to the Malaysian jungle in the hunt for Indonesian paratroops, there is no great enthusiasm in Wellington for widening the struggle, as some British military planners have urged. “The Government, aware of this feeling, continues to counsel moderation in the hope that President Sukarno’s “confrontation” policy will collapse under its own weight. New Zealand and Australia refused to support the idea of a British air strike against an Indonesian naval base earlier this month. The plan was cancelled. “If there are more aggressive incidents, such as the dropping of paratroops in the Labis area of Malaya on September 1, the British military command will no doubt want to react and targets have already been selected for a counterblow of this kind Meanwhile, New Zealand and Australia are acting as a brake on any hotheaded military adventure. “The New Zealand Government does not pin much hope on suggestions that President Ayub Khan, of Pakistan, might be able to mediate in

the Malaysian-Indonesian dispute, although it is thought conceivable that Dr. Sukarno may now be anxious to find a face-saving formula to end the dispute following his moral defeat in the United Nations Security Council debate. “The continuing racial tensions in Malaysia are a source of concern to New Zealand, which would like to see steps being taken there towards the creation of a genuine multiracial sociey. Until there is some evidence of moves to-

wards such a society support from New Zealanders for the Malaysian concept, in spite of the rallying calls of the Prime Minister, Mr Holyoake, will remain less than wholehearted.” The “Guardian” defence correspondent says: No offensive action was envisaged by Britain against Indonesia while the issue was being considered by the Security Council (from September 9 to 17). Should offensive action be taken at the request of the

Malaysian Government as a result of Indonesian aggression the New Zealand and Australian Governments would be “consulted,” but there is no guarantee that their advice would be taken. There are naturally many contingency plans in being which have already been discussed in general terms with the New Zealand and Australian Governments. It is emphasised that offensive action will not be taken unless requested by the Malaysian Government.