HOLT DEFENDS CHINA TRADE

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31043, 26 April 1966, Page 17

HOLT DEFENDS CHINA TRADE

(N.Z. Pres* Association— Copyright) SAIGON, April 25. The Australian Prime Minister, Mr Harold Holt, today defended Australia’s trade with China. He was speaking at a press conference at the end of a four-day visit to South Vietnam.

Mr Holt was asked by a Vietnamese newspaper correspondent how it was possible to equate Australia’s military and civil as- i distance to Vietnam ; with its trade with I China. Mr Holt said Aus- i tralia had not traded : with China in strategic 1 materials. The commodities sold were, those China could buy on the' world market, such as wool I and wheat. Australia's trade with China had been beneficial to the, Australian economy and had' enabled Australia to give] more military and economic] assistance overseas, he said. ] The Prime Minister added! that the trading was done by i individuals, not by the Australian Government. Majority Support Mr Holt was also asked whether the majority of Australians supported the government’s commitment in Vietnam. “1 would say unhesitatingly yes." he said. “In a democracy there is always criticism and dissent. But Australia’s commitment in Vietnam is well understood and supported by the majority. Mr Holt said there had been some criticism of conscription. Conscription was still a novelty in Australia, he explained. Mr Holt told the press conference that Australia had always maintained a tradition of volunteers in time of war. However, the government had found it necessary to introduce selective national service to maintain an effective force to fulfil Australia’s commitments.

A form of conscription had been introduced during the Second World War but this had been understood by the nation because it was a declared war.

Mr Holt said that he was sure that as soon as full knowledge of the need and circumstances in Vietnam were more widely apprecia-

ated much of the criticism and opposition would disappear. Asked how the Australians in Vietnam felt about the criticism Mr Holt said he found a regret that the people at home were “not clued in” on what was happening in Vietnam.

I The Prime Minister was asked what concrete steps would be taken as the result of his visit to improve Australia’s assistance to Vietnam. Mr Holt said that from a military point of view Australia had a number of commitments to fulfil besides Vietnam. * Other Theatres Australian forces were serving in Thailand and Malaysia and Australia also had responsibility for the security of Papua and New Guinea. Material assistance of various kinds was considered from time to time by the Australian and Vietnamese Governments. “But we are also a developing nation. I have the problems of developing a vast continent and increased defence for our own security.” Mr Holt said. Mr Holt said that he was sure as soon as the essential importance of the Vietnam struggle to the whole world was fully understood, especially in Europe, more assistance material and moral support especially—would be forthcoming. “We have through various diplomatic channels tried to make this more widely known throughout the world,” Mr Holt said.