ARMS EMBARGO ANNOUNCED

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30602, 19 November 1964, Page 17

ARMS EMBARGO ANNOUNCED

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter —Copyright) LONDON, November 18. Britain will impose an embargo on arms exports to South Africa; the contract to supply 16 Buccaneer aircraft, is, however, still under review.”

Members of the institute had met him in New York last week to discuss the announcement by the Montreal-Australia-New Zealand Line of a 10 per cent increase in wool freight rates to East Coast ports of the United States, and a similar increase to East Coast ports and 15 per cent to West Coast ports, announced by the Columbus Line.

These statements were made in the House of Commons yesterday by the Government and produced vigorous approval from Labour supporters and sharp dissent from the Opposition. Sir Alec Douglas-Home gave notice that the Conservatives were not satisfied with the Government statement and may seek a debate on the matter. Mr Wilson told Parliament that no new contracts to supply military equipment would be accepted after today. But arms already contracted for could still be sent to South Africa, with the exception of sporting weapons and ammunition—and with a reservation in the case of the Buccaneers.

The Buccaneers, unofficially estimated to be worth £2om, were ordered by South Africa under the former Conservative Government with an option for another 14. South Africa’s Prime Minister warned that he would break off the Simonstown naval base agreement if the Buccaneer contract was not honoured. House Divided

The Government and Opposition were clearly divided in Parliament on the value of the Simonstown base to Britain.

Sir Alee Douglas-Home pointed out the threat to communications and over-flying rights and the strategic problems Birtain would face if the Suez Canal was closed in any future war.

But Mr Wilson implied that the value of the base was in any case limited. The Prime Minister also

stated that if a consequence of the arms embargo meant that South Africa would denounce the Simonstown agreement “this would mean that all the dependence we have on those communications would be highly vulnerable in conditions of war.” A South African Embassy spokesman in London last night said the mission had no comment on Mr Wilson’s statement. “If anything is to be said it will be said in South Africa,” he stated.