DELAYS TO SIGNING

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29107, 20 January 1960, Page 14

DELAYS TO SIGNING

Alterations To Draft

(From Our Own Reporter)

WELLINGTON, January 19. Last-minute alterations to the agreement between the Government and Consolidated Zinc Proprietary Ltd. of Australia delayed the signing of the agreement to-day. Although the agreement is one between the company and the Minister of Works, the Prime Minister (Mr Nash) took over negotiations some days ago.

Because of the alterations to the draft agreement, fresh negotiations were begun this morning with the representatives of Consolidated Zinc, Mr M. A. Mawby, vice-chairman of the company, and Mr D. J. Hibberd, a director. A draft agreement was prepared on December 3 last when company officials visited New Zealand. Until a few days ago, the company expected that Mr Mawby and Mr Hibberd would have little to do today except sign the agreement. But at 10 a.m. today, the time suggested some time ago for the signing, a meeting of the Cabinet economic policy sub-committee was scheduled. Then the Australians began talks, which, it is presumed, centred round the alterations made in the draft by Mr Nash. The discussions were interrupted while Mr Nash attended a civic reception for the British actor, Sir Donald Wolfit. Mr Nash again withdrew later in the afternoon to attend at Government House, where the new Italian Minister to New Zealand, Dr Guiseppe Capece. presented his credentials to the Governor-General (Lord Cobham).

At one stage during the afternoon, it was suggested that the formality of signing take place at 4 o’clock, but it was about this time that Mr Nash left for Government House. It is understood that he then requested time to read through the final draft and the signing eventually took place at 7.30 p.m. Mr Nash expects to make a further statement about the agreement tomorrow and tomorrow evening the Minister of Works (Mr Watt) will make a radio