Talks With Aust. Minister

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31054, 9 May 1966, Page 3

Talks With Aust. Minister

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, May 8. Government leaders in Wellington yesterday discussed with the Australian Minister of External Affairs (Mr Hasluck), questions affecting the security of Australia and New Zealand and the maintenance of peace in South-east Asia.

Mr Hasluck after the two-hour talks had no comment on the discussions. The Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake), however, said that Mr Hasluck who has just completed an extensive overseas tour, gave full details of his discussion with British and American leaders on international problems. Mr Holyoake said there had been agreement on the importance to both Australia and New Zealand on what was happening in Asia, and there was complete identity of views on the objectives to be sought. The Ministers were at one in their desire for a just and peaceful settlement, through negotiations, of the Vietnam problem, and resolved to spare no effort to bring this about Mr Holvoake said. .

“Mr Hasluck’s action in coming here to give us the benefit of what he learned in the course of his overseas tour typifies the dose and warm relationship between our two Governments. “New Zealand and Australia have the same origins and traditions, live as close neigh-

bours and will undoubtedly share the same fate. “It is no accident that our forces are today standing together to resist aggression in Malaysia and Vietnam. In the troubled world in which we are living, the drawing to-

gether of our two countries in the face of a common danger provides a source of strength that is a comfort and a reassurance to me, and 1 know to most New Zealanders,” Mr Holyoake said. Others attending the talks, held in Mr Hoiyoake’s office in Parliament buildings, were the Deputy-Prime Minister (Mr Marshall), the Minister of Defence (Mr Eyre), the Australian High Commissioner in New Zealand (Mr D. McNicol), the Chief of Defence Staff (Major-General L. W. Thornton) the Secretary of External Affairs (Mr A. D. Mclntosh), and Mr Hasluck’s aides.

Mr Hasluck, who arrived in Wellington last night, will address the Cabinet on Monday morning then attend a Ministerial luncheon. He will give a press conference before leaving for Australia tomorrow night.