Women oppose visit by Dutch warships (Tribune, 6 Juli 1960)

Tribune (1960-07-06) - Women oppose visit by Dutch warships Source: Trove, National Library of Australia - https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article236736235 Date retrieved: 2026-10-17 OCR text (uncorrected) follows. 06 Jul 1960 - Women oppose visit by Dutch warships Tribune (Sydney, NSW: 1939 - 1991), Wednesday 6 July 1960, page 3 Women oppose visit by Dutch warshipsDERTH: Concern at the Dutch naval force being ssnt to "show the flag" in New Guinea was expressed by the Union of Australian Women in a deputation to the Dutch Consul for WA last week.The four members of the deputation represented suburban groups of the UAW and included National Council member Mrs. Maud Quinn. Close ties Mrs. Quinn spoke of the close ties of the UAW with the women of Indonesia, and their belief that the dispute around West Irian (Dutch New Guinea) could be settled by peaceful negotiation. Mrs. Noel Hartley spoke of the release from NATO of all Dutch troops and the £23 million increase in the Dutch defence grant. Forty two Labor members in Holland had voted against transfer of troops tc Dutch New Guinea, showing that many Dutch people were opposed tc belligerent action, and agreed with Australian women that the peace must be kept. In the Lingadjati Agreement signed in 1949, the Dutch had agreed that the Indonesian Republic should have the disputed territory and that they would discuss a solution. But no discussions had been held since 1957. Consul Mr. Vanshot, who had called in Mr. De Groot, his adviser on Indonesian affairs, said that the Dutch were sending troops and a naval force to West Irian to protect the people from "active aggression" and "infiltration." The women asked how this aggression could be committed, as neither Indonesia nor the people of West Irian could compete with the military arms of European nations.