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STATEMENT ON DEFENCE

Draft Sent To Mr Gorton <N Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON. February 24. i The Prime Minister (Mr Holoake) has sent to the Australian Prime Minister (Mr Gorton) a draft of the statement he intends to make on South-East Asian defence commitments after 1971. It is generally understood that the statement will say New Zealand is prepared and willing to stay in the area. The draft statement, the contents of which were not revealed by the Prime Minister when he met reporters is about five foolscap i pages in length. ; It will be revealed publicly at the same time as Mr! ' Gorton makes his statement to the Australian Parliament probably, on February 25. Mr Holyoake said he wasi “taking the initiative in the; matter” in sending the draft; to Mr Gorton. It would enable j the Australian leader to have the New Zealand view before j him when formulating his own statement.

The Prime Minister said he had outlined to Government caucus members this morning the whole South-East Asian defence position as he saw it.

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19690225.2.184

Bibliographic details

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31922, 25 February 1969, Page 22

Word Count
177

STATEMENT ON DEFENCE Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31922, 25 February 1969, Page 22

STATEMENT ON DEFENCE Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31922, 25 February 1969, Page 22