Sir Eric Norris
Sir Denis Greenhill
HK
Dr Cn
26
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LORD CARRINGTON'S TOUR
1.
The principal purpose of Lord Carrington's tour was to make contact with the new Australian and New Zealand Governments, to establish what sort of policies they were likely to adopt particularly in the fields of immigration, five power defence.. and regional relations. In addition, and in the light of his discussions with the two Governments, he wished to reassure the Malaysian and Singapore Governments of HMG's intention to continue their support at present levels for five power defence, provided this was what they wanted. His visits to Indonesia and to Japan were largely fact finding exercises; his visits to Gan and Hong Kong to see the defence forces, though in Hong Kong he also had useful talks wi the Governor and his leading officials. In Honolulu and Washington he met the new CINCPAC, Admiral Gayler, and the new Secretary of Defence, Mr Richardson.
2. So far as New Zealand was concerned the visit was re- assuring. Though Mr Kirk (who dominates his Government) has some vague and ill thought out proposals for East Asia regional association of a kind unrelated to collective security, he was wholly sound on five power defence, though rather less so on SEATO. He gave, however, an impression of thoughtfulness and good sense which was much less evident in Australia. There Mr Whitlam, subject to Government by caucus and the raucous demands of his left wing, has already given us some anxious moments and these will continue particularly in these early days when he will feel the need to fulfil election pledges by trendy actions. I am afraid that we are in for continuing trouble with the Australian Government in a host of fields and we shall be extremely lucky if, as members of the Security Council, we get any more help from them than we would expect from India. On five power defence, however, Mr Whitlam and Mr Barnard (probably our best hope in the Government) have so far stood up to their left wing despite the embarrassment which deliberate leakages to the press have caused them. I think the MOD are right in believing that it will be possible satisfactorily to restructure the ANZUK force to take account of Australian withdrawals.
CONFIDENTIAL
13.