TROOPS FOR VIETNAM No Effect From Change Of Govt.

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30776, 14 June 1965, Page 1

TROOPS FOR VIETNAM No Effect From Change Of Govt.

New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, June 13.

The Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) said last night the resignation of the South Vietnamese Government would not affect New Zealand’s decision to send an artillery battery to South Vietnam.

Mr Holyoake—who left Wellington I last night for London where he will i attend the Commonwealth Prime Ministers’ conference —said it was “unthinkable’’ New Zealand would alter its decision.

Speaking at an airport press conference he said the Government’s decision to send the battery was made for the defence of the South Vietnamese people.

Mr Holyoake said he would "firmly state” to the Commonwealth Prime Ministers’ conference. New Zealand’s reasons for sending troops to South Vietnam. In reply to a questioner, he said he doubted if there would be “much unfavourable reaction” from the Afro-Asian members of the Commonwealth. In reply to another question, Mr Holyoake said: “I certainly have not had any critical comment on our position on Vietnam from any Commonwealth country " Vietnam would inevitably be discussed by the conference. he said, but New Zealand's position on the issue was fully understand by all the Commonwealth countries. The Prime Minister said while he was in London, he expected to hold talks with British Ministers on the possibility of renewing the

long-term trading arrangements for New Zealand produce. Mr Holyoake said the existing agreements would expire in two years. Guarantees of unrestricted and duty-free entry to the British market for New Zealand's dairy produce and pork will expire in May, 1967, although the unrestricted commitment has been waived in favour of butter quotas. Britain has also undertaken by a 1952 declaration to permit the exportable surplus of New Zealand beef, veal, mutton and lamb to be sold in Britain without restriction on quantity until October, 1967. The Prime Minister said he expected to reopen discussions of New Zealand’s butter quota in Britain The Prime Minister said subjects he expected to receive prominence during the conference would be proposals for strengthening the United Nations peace-keeping role, disarmament, the Commonwealth secretariat and the Rhodesian issue. “1 expect external affairs will be of major interest to ■ us.” he said. Mr Holyoake said he did not expect to see the United ' States President when he at-

tended the A.N.Z.U.S. council meeting in Washington on his way home from London. “We have made no arrangements. and I have no special reason for desiring an interview with President Johnson," he said The Prime Minister said in spite of a lot of talk beforehand that the Commonwealth was falling apart, last year’s conference finally showed greater unity and strength of purpose on the part of the Prime Ministers than for some years. “I am sure we shall all work on this occasion to still further strengthen that unity," he said. Mr Holyoake, who was accompanied by Mrs Holyoake and Mr P. A. Barnes, the private secretary, were bidden farewell from Wellington airport by Cabinet Ministers, members of the Diplomatic Corps and External Affairs Department officials. With the Prime Minister and his wife on the flight to London, by way of the United States, were the Speaker of the House of Representatives (Sir Ronald Algie) and Lady Algie. Sir Ronald Algie will attend the celebrations to mark the 700th anniversary of the first Parliament of Simon de Montfort.