‘No Intention Of Extending Aid’

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31341, 11 April 1967, Page 1

‘No Intention Of Extending Aid’

(New Sealand Press Auociatton)

WELLINGTON, April 10. The Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) said tonight that the Government had no present intention of extending its military aid in South Vietnam.

“We are not considering the position at the present time,” he told a press conference, “but if the Government further intends to consider it, I will, of course, immediately inform the people of New Zealand.”

Mr Holyoake said the Minister of Defence (Mr Thomson), who recently visited South Vietnam had put no specific proposals before the Cabinet today. “As far as I know he has no specific proposals in his mind.” Asked if New Zealand would increase its military

aid to Malaysia, the Prime Minister replied: “We have considered today the question of further assistance to Malaysia—both military and economic.”

Mr Holyoake declined to specifiy exactly how New Zealand might increase its military aid to Malaysia, but emphasised that it would be in the field of military equipment and training. He said there was no thought of increasing New Zealand’s commitment to the Commonwealth Strategic Reserve which at present stands at one infantry battalion, a frigate, a squadron of Canberra bombers (based in New Zealand) and a squadron of Bristol Freighter aircraft