N.Z. WILL NOT JOIN MR LEE’S MISSION

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31576, 13 January 1968, Page 1

N.Z. WILL NOT JOIN MR LEE’S MISSION

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, January 12. New Zealand will not send a Cabinet Minister to London this weekend to support the Singapore Prime Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, in his bid to halt British plans for an accelerated withdrawal from Malaysia and Singapore.

This was announced tonight by the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake). Mr Holyoake said that from New Zealand’s point of view, no purpose would be served by a visit to London at such short notice.

He said that Mr Lee could count on New Zealand’s “full understanding and support” in the . representations he won Id make to the British Prime Minister (Mr Wilson). Mr Lee telephoned Mr Holyoake on Wednesday seeking support for Singapore’s London delegation. Mr Holyoake said he had told Mr Lee that at the appropriate time New Zealand would be willing to consider taking part in a conference of the five countries concerned with the British withdrawal —Malaysia, Singapore, New Zealand, Australia and Brit ain.

“This conference would consider the implications of the British withdrawal and see in what way we could contribute to the maintenance of the security of South-East Asia in the new circumstances,” Mr Holyoake said. Mr Holyoake said he had told Mr Lee by telephone that he “fully shared” his concern r- about Britain’s withdrawal g and appreciated the special i- difficulties which would be created for Singapore by an d early departure of the British > forces. d He added that New Zear land’s concern was In no way if diminished by what had been d learned from talks yesterday with the British Commont. wealth Secretary (Mr George Thomson).