Journalists to visit South-East Asia

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32563, 24 March 1971, Page 23

Journalists to visit South-East Asia

(From Our Own Reporter) WELLINGTON, Mar. 23. Seven senior New Zealand journalists would visit Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Japan, Korea, Republic of Nationalist China, South Vietnam, Cambodia and Indonesia between April 13 and May 30, the Minister of Defence (Mr Thomson) said today. The journalists are Mr G. T. Adams, editorial staff, “Otago Daily Times”; Mr L. R. Bioxham, South Island correspondent, “N.Z. Weekly News”; Mr D. N. Eckhoff, duty editor N.Z.8.C., Wellington; Mr J. H. Fullarton, editor, “Daily News,” New Plymouth; Mr N. L. Macbeth, assistant editor, “The Press,” Christchurch; Mr J. A. Kelleher, editor, the “Dominion,” Wellington, and Mr J. Tresidder, “Auckland Star.” They will be accompanied by Lieu-tenant-Colonel R. I. Launder.

Co-sponsored by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defence and the Department

of Industries and Commerce, the visit will enable journalists to see civil, trade, military and political activities in each country and to interview senior politcal, economic and military leaders. “I am delighted that the newspapers and the N.Z.8.C., who each pay a large portion of the costs, have made available such highly qualified journalists,” the Minister said. “I am sure that the tour will assist to bring up- to date their knowledge of activities in Asia and provide them with the necessary background information to write objective assessments on a wide variety of topical subjects relating to this area of increasing importance to New Zealand.

“It is important that all New Zealanders be provided not only with accurate facts but with informed first-hand opinion. This visit by some of New Zealand’s leading journalists will assist to meet this continuing need.”