South Vietnam

Communism has a great effect on the Rule of Law. It has the most devastating effect imaginable. Every judge is subordinate to the power; and judges in an un free state immediately lose all ideas of judicial integrity. Everything must be done to advance the aims of the party.

It is idle however, to think that it is only the communists who are giving trouble. In South Vietnam, the government has also the task of fighting against other distant opponents. While Sir Leslie was there, there was another revolution going on. (A revolution is legal if it is successful).

The Americans are the main supporters in this strife-torn country. Whatever mistakes the United States of America may have made in their administration, whatever criticisms we may direct against them, the fact remains that the United States is the only one who is contributing towards the defence of this stronghold.

If Vietnam goes, the countries to the south of it will probably go as well; and Australia and New Zealand will almost certainly be affected.

Sir Leslie pointed out that he was not claiming that Vietnam was very democratic; they needed a democracy different from us. But if Vietnam takes over, a chain reaction would spread, until Malaya would be taken over as well. Then we would have trouble on our doorsteps.

The British realise this. They are giving terrific support; they have tremendous assets in Singapore

New Zealand is not contributing quite enough. The burden falls mainly on the United States and the United Kingdom. Most people in New Zealand probably do not appreciate this. New Zealand and Australia should get together more often; the day may come when New Zealand and Australia will have constitutional relations closer than anyone ever dreamt of.

The Rule of Law is therefore related closely to the socio-economical conditions of a country.

We all need land reform urgently. In some countries, the urgency is not realised. The Rule of Law would be impossible without land reform.

The Commission does not think that we can have the Rule of Law in any of these countries unless we have social and economic reforms. It is useless talking to the humble fellow in Nigeria about the Rule of Law unless he is satisfied that he is taking part in a movement of socio-economic reform for economic advancement. The strife in Ceylon, in Pakistan, in Vietnam, in Germany, in Indonesia, shows just how urgent it is to better the living conditions of the proletariat.