Court To Rule On 12-Mile Limit

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30947, 31 December 1965, Page 1

Court To Rule On 12-Mile Limit

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, December 30. Japanese officials have told the Government that they intend to refer the issue of New Zealand’s 12-mile fishing zone to the International Court of Justice. Japanese Government officials have been discussing the matter in Wellington with representatives of the New Zealand Government.

The 12-mile zone, established under legislation enacted on September 10, takes effect on Saturday.

The External Affairs Department in a statement tonight said the Japanese representatives had said they were unable to recognise the validity of the New Zealand zone in terms of understanding of international law on such questions.

“New Zealand officials have reaffirmed the Government’s view that it is within the sole competence of the coastal state to take such a measure,” said the department.

The department said the Japanese representatives suggested that the question might be referred to the court jointly by both governments. “It is the New Zealand Government’s understanding that the Japanese Government will, as a next step, submit detailed proposals for stating jointly a case to the court,” the statement continued. Consultations through diplomatic channels will be continued in the meantime. This is to ensure that the merits of either party’s legal position should not be prejudiced, and that the friendly relations between the two countries should be preserved. Earlier this week, Reuter reported from Tokyo that Japan might appeal to the International Court over New Zealand’s intention to extend her fishing zone. A Japanese Foreign Ministry official was quoted as saying that, if the 12-mile zone was enforced, Japanese fishing boats would be greatly restricted. Last week three Japanese officials sent from Tokyo began negotiations for the continued safety of Japanese fishermen off New Zealand’s coast.

After their arrival, the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) reiterated New Zealand’s firm intention to establish the new zone.