N.Z. force in Singapore now independent GARDEN AWARD

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33448, 1 February 1974, Page 2

N.Z. force in Singapore now independent

GARDEN AWARD

P.A. Stu)/ Correspondent)

SINGAPORE, January 31. New Zealand today became the only foreign country to have a three-service independent military force based in South-East Asia.

The New Zealand Force South-East Asia officially came into existence at an inaugural ceremony at Kangaw barracks, the headquarters. The New Zealand units 'sere previously part of the three-nation A.N.Z.U.K Force, set up in 1971 under the flve-Power defence arrangements with Singapore and Malaysia. The decision to make the force independent was made after Australia announced the withdrawal of its ground forces from Singapore. The New Zealand force is

commanded by Brigadier M.i |R. Kennedy . The Acting High Commis-I jsioner in Singapore (Mr 8.l Lynch), speaking at the in-; augural ceremony’, said the! establishment of an indepen-; dent New Zealand force in-; produced a new era in New; : Zealand’s defence relations; with the region. “In one sense it represents ' another adaptation to changing circumstances of the Jone ’ standing defence associatin’ 1 among the five Common 1 wealth countries most di rectly concerned.” Mr Lynch said. “But more generally it can ’ be seen as further evidence

‘hat New Zealand accepts, as >ur Prime Minister (Mr Kirk) said recently during his visit 'o Singanore. that we have become inevitably and irre’wably a part of the region,

tnd we want to plav a more; self-reliant and independent' role in its affairs.’* Mr Lynch said the ending of confrontation between Indonesia and Malaysia, the ending of the war in Vietnam, the withdrawal of British .forces from South-East Asia, and oth*r develooments had Forced New Zealand to re-' consider its defence policy “On the one hand, our de-) f ence links in the region had; been set in partnership with ■araer external Powers.” he said. “It was our relationship "’ith the United States and Britain that had always been of more immediate practical concern than our direct defence co-operation with South-East Asian countries. Yet, over the years, the realisation has grown that we and Australia have an undeniable interest in the region’s security, and a stake! in its future.”

i Two decades ago New Zea-1 hand had been preoccupied) with finding ways and means! |to co-ordinate its efforts more) 'closely with those of its more; 'powerful allies, he said. “Now!

lour objective is to consult (and work together as closely as we can with our Asian [neighbours, within the scope iof a broader and deepening 'political relationship,”

Ihe premier award for the Commonwealth Games 1 garden competition will be presented today to Mr W. R. ‘ Dailey of Mays Road. 1 The competition, which . drew support from more ( than 300 competitors, was;' organised by the Christ- ) church Beautifying Society , and the Canterbury Agricul- . tural and Pastoral Associ- , ation. , For the fust time special i classes were set aside in the . competition for home occu- , piers under 30 years of age. I Other new categories were , for service stations, business . premises and shopping ( malls. The convener of the committee which organised i the competition (Mr R. Proc- i tor) said that the standard < of entries in all classes was i very high. i