MIXED RECEPTION GIVEN NEWS

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30762, 28 May 1965, Page 1

MIXED RECEPTION GIVEN NEWS

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, May 27. The news that New Zealand would send combat troops to Vietnam met with a mixed reception in Wellington today.

It was welcomed by the Dominion president of the Returned Services’ Association, Mr H. Mitchell, who said: “We have shown that we will carry out our obligations under our treaties and that we will respond to a call for help from the Government of an independent country.”

The Federation of Labour, which at its annual conference a fortnight ago opposed the dispatch of New Zealand troops to Vietnam under any circumstances, will hold a meeting of its national executive on Monday to discuss what action it will take. The chairman of the newly-

formed Committee on Vietnam, Mr B, Mitcalfe, said of the announced force: “What kind of force is that to combat the problems of hunger, disease, political corruption and loss of human freedom?” Mr Mitchell said: “It will give new heart to the country. “If the United Nations had the support from all its members to which it is entitled, such a peaee-keeping force would be in South Vietnam today.” New Zealand troops might well have been in that force, he said. The United States was in Vietnam, at the invitation of its government as a peacekeeping force. New Zealand would now be part of it. “We have joined the Australians and thus the Anzacs will be send ng together not only in Malaysia but also In Vietnam, to ensure our integrity and peace in the world,” said Mr Mitchell. F.O.L. MEETING The F.O.L.’s vice-president, Mr J. E. Napier, will preside at Monday’s executive meeting.

The president (Mr T. E. Skinner) is now at an International Labour Organisation conference at Geneva. The F.O.L. decided at its annual conference that the United Nations ought to mediate.

Mr Napier said today he could not comment on the situation until it had been discussed by the executive. Mr Nanier is secretary of the North Island Waterfront Workers’ Association. Any direct action by this union would be subject to F.O.L. policy, he said. The federation’s secretary, Mr K. M. Baxter, said tonight any direct action by the Seamen’s Union would not be undertaken without F.O.L. approval. A 'Wellington Trades Council meeting on Wednesday decided to back any direct action that might be taken. Mr Mitcalfe said his organisation would try to force Mr Holyoake to reverse his decision.

He said New Zealand had now joined four other nations including South Vietnam that were flagrantly disregarding the United Nations request to stop the war in Vietnam. “Had we given as much material aid as. any other country, we might be able to salve our consciences. But all we’ve given is a token military force “Mr Holyoake may have been reluctantly forced into this action. "It is certainly a sad day for New Zealand.” Mr Mitcalfe said. CHURCH LEADERS All church leaders approached, except the Roman Catholic Metropolitan of New Zealand (Archbishop P. T. B. McKeefry) were opposed to the Government’s decision. The Minister of the Wesley Street Methodist Chuhch, the Rev. R. Thornley, said the Government’s decision was opposed to the guidance received from Asian Christian leaders. “Does this decision mean we have given up any hope of playing the role of peacemaker?” he asked. “Does the decision undermine the role of the United Nations?” Mr Thornley said he considered the Government’s decision would make any future negotiations' difficult. Archbishop McKeefry said New Zealanders had an obligation to support the Government’s decision. He said the Government was fully informed of the situation. If they considered a force should be sent to Vietnam “we should stand by them loyally.” The Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in New Zealand (Mr D. N. Perry) left for Vietnam last Saturday. Mr Perry will examine the chances of Christian Church initiative ending the fighting in Vietnam by starting negotiations between opposing parties.