COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA.
SPEECH. BY
Rt. lion. SIR ROBERT MENZIES,
M. P.
ON
MALAYSIA DEFENCE.
[ From the Parliamentary Debates," 25th September, 1963.]
MALAYSIA DEFENCE.
Ministerial Statement.
Sir ROBERT MENZIES ( Kooyong-
Prime Minister)-by leave-I present to the
House the following papers:-
Malaysia Defence-
Anglo-Malayan Defence Agreement of 1957.
Notes exchanged between Australia and
Malaya in March and April, 1959.
United Kingdom Malaysia Agreement of
July, 1963 ( excluding Annextires).
Notes exchanged between Australia and
-Malaysia in September, 1963.
In reference to the last of these papers,
I point out that in answer to a question
last week, I summarized the effect of these
notes exchanged between Australia and
Malaysia. In substance I then said that
our existing arrangements with Malaya
would now apply to Malaysia.
It may be remembered that so far back as
April, 1955, the Government emphasized
the importance of Malaya to the security of
the zone in which we live, and pointed out
that in consequence, Malayan integrity and
defence were matters from which we could
not and should not stand aloof. Reasons of
this kind, directly affecting us, were of
course, closely allied with the proper
interests of others-who are our friends.
The establishment of the Commonwealth
Strategic Reserve, of Seato-to the functions
of which the Reserve was relevant-the
9633/ 63. negotiations of the Anzus pact, are all in the
same pattern. That is a pattern, not of
aggression, but of defence; not of isolation
in defence, but of -common effort for the
common security.
There has been some suggestion that our
forces in Malaya went there primarily for
purposes of internal security. This is not
so. As I have indicated, they went there
and are there as a part of a strategic reserve
with the United Kingdom and New Zealand
and as a contribution to the defence of the
South-East Asian area. True, we,-quicly
agreed that our forces could be employed
in operations against the Communist terrorists
in Malaya. They were so employed,
with success, and with great credit to themselves
and Australia. The facts were, of
course, that these terrorists were promoted
and supplied by Communist authorities outside
Malaya, and that their activities were
as much acts of war against the territorial
and political integrity of Malaya as would
have been overt military invasion. We think
that the people of Australia have agreed
with these policies and decisions. In all
these arrangements, and in any to be made,
the usual rule will apply that the employment
of' Australian forces remains under the
control of the Australian Government. We
have acted and will continue to act consistently
with the Charter of the United
Nations.
But Malaysia, the new nation, is here.
The processes of its creation have been
democratic. The United Nations Secretary-
General, having appointed suitable persons
as examiners, reported that the people of
North Borneo and Sarawak desired incorporation
into Malaysia. The Prime Minister
of Singapore, one of the great sponsors of
Malaysia, has just received an overwhelming
endorsement at the polls. We have
publicly and unambiguously said that we
support Malaysia which is, never let it be
forgotten, a Commonwealth country, just as
our own is. Should there be any attempts
to destroy or weaken Malaysia by subversion
or invasion, what should Australia do about
it? -We know that the United Kingdom
accepts, in substance, the position of a
military guarantor. Honorable members
now know the terms of our own recent
exchange of notes.
The Government of Malaysia has said
clearly that this exchange is completely satisfactory
to it. But it has not been the normal
practice of Commonwealth countries to
spell out in detail their sense of mutual
obligation, nor to confine themselves to
legal formulae. For example, our vital
engagements with the United Kingdom are
not written or in any way formalized. Yet
we know and she knows that in this part
of. the world * we look to her, and she looks
to. us. We each apply in a spirit of mutual
confidence a golden rule. of . mutual
obligation. But for the benefit of all concerned,
honorable members would not wish me to
create or permit any ambiguity about Australia's
position in relation to Malaysia. I
therefore, after close deliberation by the
Cabinet, and on its behalf, inform the House
that we are resolved, and have so informed
the Government of Malaysia, and the
Governments of the United Kingdom and
New Zealand and others concerned, that if,
in the circumstances that now exist, and
which may continue for a long time, there
occurs, in relation to Malaysia or any of
its constituent States, armed invasion or subversive
acti v ity-sup ported or directed or
inspired from outside Malaysia-we shall
to the best of our powers and by such means
as shall be agreed upon with the Government
of Malaysia, add our military assistance
to the efforts of Malaysia and the
United Kingdom in the defence of Malaysia's
territorial integrity and political independence.
Inow present the following paper:-
Malaysia Defence-Ministerial Statement,
September, 1963.
Motion ( by Mr. Adermann) proposed-
That the House take note of the papers.
Debate ( on motion by Mr. Calwell)
adjourned. S~ r Robert Menzies.-Perhaps I may be
permitted to say that copies* of what I have
just said and of the documents referred to
will be available at once for a0 honorable
members.
By Authority: A. J1. ARTmuR, Comnmonwealth Government Printer, Canberra.