National Branch Supports P.M.

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30761, 27 May 1965, Page 1

National Branch Supports P.M.

Support for the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) in his stand on the Vietnam question, and an assurance of support for any further Government action in the rtiatter, were given by the National Party’s Canterbury-Westland divisional committee at its annual meeting yesterday.

The resolution reads: “That this division welcomes the clear and considered statements made by the Prime Minister, explaining the facts and emphasising the dangers inherent in the situation in Vietnam. “We welcome further his assurance that the Government will honour our treaty obligation to our allies in S.E.A.T.O. and A.N.Z.U.S. and especially to our Ameri-I can allies upon whom we are dependent for preservation of our freedom.

“We pledge our support to the Government in any further steps it may feel it necessary to take in defence of these objectives.” “Vociferous Elements”

Mr R. S. Slatter. a delegate from Rangiora, said he was proposing the resolution because of the amount of adverse publicity that had been given to New Zealand’s possible action on the Vietnam question from “vociferous elements." The motion was seconded by Mr E. S. F. Holland. This was fitting, said the Minister of Transport (Mr McAlpine). Mr Holland was the son of Sir Sidney Holland, who signed the A.N.Z.U.S. Pact for New Zealand.

Mr A. K. Gough said the main criticism in New Zealand came from the Communist Party, associated with fellow travellers, some nuts, and. he was sorry to say. sections of the university and the clergy in their pulpits. “If we don’t support the

I United States to prevent interference in Vietnam by neighbouring states, their pulpits and academic freedom will disappear,” he said. “Thailand will be next and then us.” U.S. “Upholding Law”

He said the United States was upholding international law. The integrity of Vietnam was protected by treaty, and if the Vietnamese Government was deplorable, it was up to South Vietnam itself to do something about it. Mr R. H. Bowron said he was not unsympathetic to the resolution, but New Zealand’s defences were not highly developed. “Can we talk like a hawk, equipped as we are like a dove?” he said: