General Not Aware Of Vietnam Move

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31504, 19 October 1967, Page 18

General Not Aware Of Vietnam Move

Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Pearson, the commander of the Far East Land Forces, said in Christchurch yesterday that he was “in ignorance” of New Zealand’s decision to deploy a company to Vietnam.

“What reaction can I have? It really is of concern to the New Zealand Government. If it decides to send more troops to Vietnam then where it gets them from is its own concern,” he said. “Although no doubt some communications must have been exchanged between the Far East Land Forces Headquarters and New Zealand, I personally was not aware of the actual fact of the decision,” said General Pearson. Asked if he would agree with the remarks by the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) who, in explaining the decision to send the company from Malaysia, described that country as being tranquil, General Pearson said he would agree. He also felt that Malaysia was likely to remain tranquil. There appeared to be no influences at work which might alter the present stability of the country. General Pearson is in New Zealand to meet senior military officials and to see the troops. He said the British Commonwealth Strategic Reserve was in Malaysia only to counter any threat of external aggression. It had nothing whatever to do with internal security. Hong Kong comes under General Pearson's command. He said many of the riots and disturbances had been caused by local Communists. By and large the local Communists

had taken the line from Peking, but in some cases they had taken policy into their own hands. General Pearson arrived at Christchurch in a Royal Air Force Transport Command Comet He was met by the commander of the Southern Military District (Brigadier W. R. K. Morrison), and the airport manager (Mr A. I. R. Jamieson).

General Pearson will go to Wellington tomorrow. Also present to meet the Comet was Air Marshal Sir Charles Broughton, the Air Member for Supply and Organisation at the Ministry of Defence, London. Air Marshal Broughton, a Christchurch Boys’ High School old boy, has been visiting his parents at Timaru. Lady Broughton arrived at Christ churdh in the R.A.F. jet.