To Advise On Aid In Asia

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30802, 14 July 1965, Page 3

To Advise On Aid In Asia

(Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, July 13. A national advisory council on civilian aid to Asia is being established by the National Council of Churches with Government support

Announcing this in Parliaj ment tonight, the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake), said he welcomed the move and a suggestion that the former Chief of the Defend Staff

(Sir Peter Phipps), be invited to become its chairman.

Mr Holyoake made the announcement after he had said that since his return to New Zealand last Friday he had held talks with the Moderator of the Presbyterian General Assembly (Mr D. N. Perry).

‘The Government • is greatly heartened by this move to mobilise support men, money and good will that has been shown so clearly to exist—and is waiting to be tapped.” he said. ‘This project has the fullest and most whole-hearted support of the Government in every way.

“It is proposed that it will assist in mobilising and stimulating private effort for increased aid: to South-east Asia.”

Mr Holyoake said it would reinforce existing agencies like C.0.R.5.0. and Volunteer Service Abroad. “It will consult and co-operate with the Government.” There was room for a good deal more help at the village level, in the technical field, in the provision of simple equipment to assist in local roading development, in water supplies, improving agricultural production and marketing, establishing

health units and ambulance and medical services, expanding education facilities and in providing such facilities as windmills and bicycles, about which Sir Peter Phipps had spoken. With imagination, energy and goodwill New Zealand could work with its neighbours in Asia to help break “their circle of need.” “I believe this initiative offers an opportunity that many of our people have been seeking—the opportunity of commitment and personal endeavour to help the people in Asian countries,” IMr Holyoake said.