COUNCIL ON VIETNAM

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30822, 6 August 1965, Page 12

COUNCIL ON VIETNAM

Formation In Christchurch

A Christchurch Joint Council on Vietnam has recently been formed to work for the cessation of hostilities in Vietname and for the establishment of a durable and just peace in that country by means of informed discussions, public meetings, production and distribution of leaflets, and such other activity as may be appropriate, says a supplied report. Members of the council include clergymen, housewives, businessmen, university staff, students, and trade union members who are concerned about the present situation in South-east Asia and particularly Vietnam. The chairman is the Rev. Dr. M. A. McDowell and the secretary is Dr. J. B. Stott. The statement says that the council aims to be “a resource centre” of authentic material on Vietnam by establishing a library of recent pamphlets, booklets and books on the subject as well as offering to introduce organisations to informed speakers. The council is also organising support for a nationwide petition sponsored by the Wellington Committee on Vietnam. This calls on the New Zealand Government to cease military participation in the Vietnam conflict and instead to enlarge New Zealand's humanitarian aid programme in South-east Asia. The circulation of the petition will be supported by the sale of a booklet, “Question and Answer,” dealing with the situation in Vietnam. This wilbpresent in summary form points' in the recently published book “Intervention in Vietnam.” A meeting will be held soon of all members of the public willing to circulate this' petition in Christchurch.