Mr Kirk Urges New Defence Thinking

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32274, 17 April 1970, Page 14

Mr Kirk Urges New Defence Thinking

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, April 16.

A completely new direction and outlook for New Zealand foreign policy in South-East Asia was called for in Parliament tonight by the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Kirk).

He urged a complete reappraisal of New Zealand defence thinking,) claiming that this was virtually compelled by recent events in that area. Mr Kirk also forecast the imminent reappearance of Japan as a major armed Power in South-East Asia, and the probable withdrawal of most United States forces after the Vietnam conflict is resolved. Speaking for more than half an hour, without notes, during a special debate on foreign affairs, Mr Kirk! scorned Government foreign! policy as “having been proven an utter failure by events in the area.” “The whole basis of the policy on which we have built ! our defence thinking is dissolving. and this dissolution is happening because of the' decision of our friends, not! of our enemies,” Mr Kirk; said, referring to the British] withdrawal from the area. “We have seen a defence; policy based on the four con-: cepts of A.N.Z.A.M., the! S.E.A.T.O. and A.N.Z.U.S.! treaties and forward defence’ crumbling

“We now stand on the -threshhold of the seventies! confronted by a train of events which must dictate I entirely new defence think-: ing.” Mr Kirk said that the endresult of the Vietnam con-; diet would be a reduction of;

I the military presence of the United States in South-East Asia, and this would happen during the same period as British withdrawal. “When this happens the whole balance of power will : inexorably move towards Japan,” he said. Mr Kirk said that Japan would turn more in coming years towards a higher level of armament It would be compelled to this course by the growing presence of Russia in the Asian region. At present, Mr Kirk said, Japanese defence thinking was still within the concept of “self defence,” but the Japanese Minister of Defence had said recently that by 1975, the next generation of Japanese would be seeking an amendment to the Constitution to remove that limitation. Mr Kirk said that New Zealand should aim for the retention of the A.N.Z.U.S. treaty, with particular regard to the American content of the treaty. “It is of vital importance that A.N.Z.U.S. should con-

tinue undisturbed and on the original basis on which it was designed,” he said.

P.M.’s Speech The debate had been opened earlier by the Prime ' Minister (Mr Holyoake), who j said that the 1970 s would see continued instability in South-East Asia, Events in /Laos and Cambodia might ■ eventually involve the whole Indo-China area, he said. '■ However there had already! 'been some favourable refactions from foreign govern-i ' ments to New Zealand’s! [ suggestion for an inter-! national conference on the: [lndo-China situation, Mrj 'Holyoake said. “Our concern for peace in

Indo-China is the reflection ■of the importance New Zealand has attached, ever since [the Second World War, to •efforts to secure the stability and peace and economic development of South-East I Asia,” he said. ; New Zealand must also be concerned with what was happening in China. "Nobody knows whether the situation there will develop in such a way that China will be willing to live and let live in the international community,” Mr Holyoake said. “It’s certainly our intention to do j what we can to encourage [Communist China to play a more normal role in the Asia ; of the future.” [ China appeared to be [ ready to move away from its ! self-imposed isolation. “But it Boes continue to follow its public policy of supporting insurgent movements in the countries of the region,” he added. New Zealand would continue to work for a lasting partnership with Japan—“already the most powerful country in the region,” Mr Holyoake said. E.E.C. Question i Mr W. E. Rowling (Lab., Buller) commented that the Pacific and South-East Asia were becoming increasingly [important to New Zealand, 'but said that his main con-

cern was the impact of Britain joining the E.E.C., and whether the visits to the Continent by the Minister of Overseas Trade (Mr Marshall) had achieved concrete trade arrangements for New Zealand. The debate was interrupted by the 10.30 pjn. adjournment.