Politicians Postpone South Vietnam Visit

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31028, 6 April 1966, Page 1

Politicians Postpone South Vietnam Visit

(N'«’ir Zealand Prcx.t AsuociatMin» WELLINGTON, April 5. The departure of the parliamentary fact-finding mission to South Vietnam has been postponed. The Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) made this announcement today after a discussion with the politicians involved —the chairman of the Defence Committee. Mr D. Maclntyre (Govt., Hastings), Mr L. F. Sloane (Govt.. Hobson), the Deputy-Leader of the Opposition (Mr Watt) and Dr. A. M. Finlay (Opp., Waitakere).

A fifth member, Mr D. S. Thomson (Govt., Stratford) was to have joined his colleagues in Saigon.

Yesterday Mr Holyoake said he hoped it would be possible for the visit to be made, in spite of a report that a group of United States’ Congressmen decided to postpone their tour in view of the continuing political demonstrations. “However when I met the party this afternoon we all agreed after some discussion that it would be preferable if the visit were held over to a later date,” said Mr Holyoake. “There is still considerable uncertainty about the situation in Vietnam and clearly the current unrest would greatly inhibit the party's movement within the country,” said Mr Holyoake. It would also make it difficult for the group to be received by all the South Vietnam Government leaders and others they wished to meet.

“It was with these considerations in mind that members thought it would be inappropriate to carry out the visit as planned. They hope, however, to be able to travel

ito South Vietnam later in the year.” I The party was to have left j uckland on Thursday and was due to leave Saigon to return to New Zealand on April 18. Earlier today Mr Holyoake said the current situation in Vietnam would not affect the South-east Asia tour of the Minister of Defence (Mr Eyre). "There is a strong possibility we will be going next month," Mr Maclntyre said tonight. “Arrangements for this are now being made. 1 think

the decision made today was the wise one.”

Mr Maclntyre said that if the party had gone to Saigon this week, the members might have had to spend their entire time in their hotel.