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Initials



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: 1. The Federation of Malay, youngest member of the United Nations, has certainly made its mark on the world with the way it ran the ECAFE conference in Kuala Lumpur. From first to last the 14th session of the United Nations Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East was an unqualified success, probably the best it's ever had.

2. Held in a re-conditioned Chinese mansion which housed the secretariat, and a simple, modern conference hall newly-built behind it, there's no doubt that the happy atmosphere which all the delegates found in Malaya had much to do with the success of the conference.

3. First to arrive: the Executive Secretary of ECAFE, Mr. Narusinham, and members of his secretartiat, normally based in Bangkok: their job to prepare the ground -- and the papers - for the conference.

4. Soon after, delegates began to arrive for a committee on Industry and Natural Resources - one of the branches of the commission which was to meet before the main conference.

5. But first the new conference hall - the Daven Tunku Abdul Rahman - specially built for his occasion, was to be formally opened.

6. The Prime Minister told delegates and Malayan guests that only three months ago this site was an orchard, and that it must be something of a world record to build and furnish a modern, air-conditioned conference hall in so short a time. He congratulated all concerned, and invited the United Nations Economic Commission to be the first to use it, praying for God's blessing on their deliberations.

7. Malaya's Minister for Commerce and Industry, Mr. Tan Siev Sin, welcomed delegates to the committee on Industry and Natural Resources; and the meeting then got down to the business on its agenda: to such problems as the development of mineral resources, power, and industrialization in Asia.

8. During the two weeks that this committee was sitting, delegates were arriving for the meeting of the full commission of ECAFE, including several Ministers, and one Prime Minister, Mr. Walter Zash of New Zealand, who was accorded a format welcome.

9. On the opening day over 200 delegates from 23 countries were received by the representative of the United Nations Secretary-General, M. de Seynes, and by the Executive Secretary of ECAFE, Mr. Maresishan.

10. Among them, the Australian Minister for External Affairs, Mr. Casey; and Mr. Nash, Prime Minister of New Zealand.

11. In opening the conference, Malaya's Prime Minister pointed out that the subjects they would be discussing touched the welfare of every home in Asia: He mentioned particularly the shortage of capital for social progress and development, and then put forward his idea of attracting capital to Asia by an International Investors' Charter which would protect both the interest of Lenders, and the sovereignty of borrowers.

12. The Deputy Prime Minister Dato Abdul Razak, was then elected chairman of the conference which began its work at once: discussing ways and means of improving economic conditions in Asia.

13. The conference was not without its tensions:
14. But on the whole it was marked by an unusual spirit of harmony and co-operation.

15. Every delegation spoke of their own country's achievements - and problems and much time was devoted to the discussion of raising capital for development projects.

16. Eagerly watched by the general public and by school children, the conference was able to adopt some important decisions, summarised in his closing speech by Dato Abdul Razak: top priority for the development of the lower Mekong river basin with the promise of financial aid from the United Nations, New Zealand and France; and trade promotion talks for the whole area. So mentioned with pride the general view that this was the most harmonious and successful conference ECAFE had ever held.

17. During the ten days in the conference, delegates with allowed a little free time to see something of the country and its industries and people.

18. Several groups explored a rubber estate -- from tapping to the manufacture of sheet......
19. Others examined the mysteries of tin mining, including a sight of the huge, open-cast Hong Kett mine.

20. Many delegates went further afield to our famous beauty spots: to Penang and Malacca. In Malacca they studied historical monuments on St. Paul's Hill and then took tea with the Governor and Mrs. Leong Yew Koh.

21. Also historical pageant specially staged in honour of the visitors. Their Majesties the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, and the Rja Perouisuri Agong brought a large party.

22. Gorgeously costumed and illuminated, there were spectacular scenes from Malaya's history, and also dances from all the people whose culture contributes to our character today.

23. As the conference neared its close, the visitors' enthusiam and affection for this country reached a climax at the State Banquet. The Prime Minister spoke of his happiness that the arrangements had pleased delegates so well, and then proposed a toss of the United Nations: "May it long continue to do good!"
24. And when it seemed that there could be no words left of praise, Mr. Narasimhan referred not only to the efficiency and warmth they found here, but to Malaya itself, which has shown the whole world how a multi-racial community can live at peace with itself, and with everone else: an example to the world.

'THE ROYAL MALAY'.

25. 25 years old. This year the Malay Regiment celebrates its Silver Jubilee. But because of the Emergency, there could be no nation-wide celebration. Instead a token parade was held at the 1st. Battalion camp at Kepala Batas in Kedah.

26. Anniversary Eve found men of the 1st Battalion busy reviving memories as they whitened the polished......
27. Especially Sergeant Jantan bin Baba who has several medals to his credit, including the Military Medal which be won in an operation against the terrorists.

28. Families and distinguished visitors were in their places early for the parade, among them the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Dato Abdul Razak, and the G.O.C. of the Federation Army, Major-General Brook.

29. The Sultan of Kedah, representing His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, took the Royal salute and then inspected the parade.