LABOUR ON VIETNAM Troops Would Come Home

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32126, 23 October 1969, Page 16

LABOUR ON VIETNAM Troops Would Come Home

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, October 22. The Labour Party was still committed to the policy of withdrawing New Zealand troops from Vietnam, the Opposition defence spokesman, Mr A. J. Faulkner (Roskill), said in Parliament tonight.

A Labour Government would replace the troops with medical, technical and agricultural aid, Mr Faulkner said during a special debate on foreign affairs.

It took an injection of skill, not war, to generate higher living standards and to give people something to live for. Earlier, the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) said that New Zealand could not in justice or humanity withdraw its forces from South Vietnam while the South Vietnamese were trying to strengthen themselves politically, and militarily. Troop withdrawal was a major issue in the 1966 General Election. The Labour Party opted for withdrawal then, and Mr Faulkner said tonight that subsequent events had proved this policy right. Sir Leslie Munro (Nat, Waipa) described the Opposition policy on Vietnam as one of “scuttle.”

“It is a pusillanimous policy, completely out of accord with the moral values

of the people of this country,” he said. Sir Leslie Munro asked why did the Labour Party always follow politicies which gave comfort to the Communists? “It’s not paying heed to the obligations of this country. Surely they must have regard to our obligations under A.NJZ.U.S.”