PM Transcripts

STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER. THE RT. HON.
SIR ROBERT MENZIES, K. T. H Q. C. 3 M. P.~
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRSENTATIVES
WEDNESDAY, 18TH AUGUST, 196~
I wish to inform the House of two decisions
concerning defence which have been taken by the Government.
The first has to do with the strength of the
Australian forces in Viet Nam. The Government has decided
to provide support units to the Army battalion there to make
it up to what is known as a Battalion Group. The support
units, which involve about 350O troops, include artillery,
engineer, armour, signal, light aircraft and logistic elements.
Honourable members will have a full opportunity
in the External Affairs debate which begins this evening to
discuss the general situation in Viet Nam. All I wish to say
at this time is that in recent months open aggression against
the people and Government of South Viet Nam, instigated and
sustained from the North, has continued to grow. U. S. assistance
to South Viet Nam is being increased by the introduction
of substantial additional forces whose purpose is to prevent
a communist military victory in that country. It is important
that the efforts of the South Vietnamese Government and the
large contribution of the U. S. Government should be supplemented
by assistance from other countries. At the same time, every
political effort continues to be made to bring the issues in
South Viet Nam to international discussion. It is our
conviction that all these actions give the best prospect of
opening the way ultimately to peace in South Viet Nam.
The second decision taken by the Government
concerns the size of the National Service intake. The intakes
of National Servicemen will be retained at 2,100 each quarter
in 1966 ( that is, a total of 8,400 during the year) instead of
reducing them to 1,725 each quarter ( 6,900 during the year) as
previously planned. The maintenance of the annual intake at
the higher level of 8,400 will result in an Army strength of
40,000 in 1967 instead of the previous figure of 37,500.
The Government's decision has been taken in the
light of the successful introduction of the National Service
Scheme and bearing in mind all the various commitments. at
home and abroad, which our forces might be required to
undertake. It is a continuation of the Government's policy
of taking measures as appropriate which will lead to steady
improvement in our defence capability.