N.Z. Urged To Seek Pacific Influence

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31986, 13 May 1969, Page 18

N.Z. Urged To Seek Pacific Influence

New Zealand had not yet fully come to terms with its South Pacific environment, and the time was now ripe for it to take a wider interest in the area, said Mr O. P. Gabites, Assistant Secretary of External Affairs, in an address at the annual convention of the Institute of Public Administration, in Christchurch last eveing.

r Mr Gabites said that the South Pacific was perhaps the one area of the world where, in spite of New Zealand’s limited resources, it could make a substantial individual contribution.

“It is the one area of ' the world where our con- ! tribution need not be , dwarfed by that of I larger powers,” he said. ’ “It is also an area where, I I believe, our greater in- ' volvement would be welcomed both by the ter1 ritories themselves and by our closest friends.” He said that as the process of decolonisation gained momentinn it would be necessary to develop separate relai tions with the emergent coun--1 tries of the South Pacific, just las New Zealand had done I with many of the larger na-

tions on the rim of the Pacific. “LESS INITIATIVE” Mr Gabites said New Zealand had shown much less initiative than Australia in Fiji. “But we can hardly serve our own interest, or those of the island inhabitants, if we allow the Australians to establish too dominant a position,” he said. “Both countries must face the possibility of a withdrawal by Britain and the devolution upon them of at least some of the responsibilities which Britain has hitherto borne. “Even if no formal transfer is involved, Australia and New Zealand cannot look with unconcern on developments which would disturb harmony within the region. And these are clearly possible in Fiji. The two countries may well have to decide whether, as the British presence recedes, they should move more positively to offer help and guidance. “There would be something strangely unbalanced about a foreign policy which placed high importance on efforts to preserve stability in SouthEast Asia but remained relatively passive before the very live prospect of instability in a region at their front door. CHANGED IMPORTANCE “At present, although it has been the scene of most of the normal manifestations of colonialism, and although it is now stirring with the new aspirations of the island

peoples, the South Pacific is still one of the least disturbed areas in the world. It may not long remain so. Its strategic importance could well in crease in the years ahead and there is no certainty that those outside, particularly , some of the Communist powers, will always display as little interest as they have till now,” he said. Mr Gabites described the 1 A.N.Z.U.S. treaty as the ‘ “lynchpin” of New Zealand’s security policies. But it was not without its problems. “The United States is ’ larger and more powerful ’ than Australia or New Zea- ■ land,” he said. “Its policies ' and decisions will have more impact on us than our policies 1 and decisions can have on the ! United States. But it is a 1 relationship of confidence and ease. We speak the same ’ language, in the full sense of 1 that phrase. Our policies ; differ in many respects, but 1 we can reach common ground.” RELATIONS WITH U.S. Mr Gabites said he could not agree with those who claimed that any contact with the United States would con- . taminate New Zealand or choke its independence. The Americans not only understood that New Zealand had to formulate its own views i and press them with vigour —they expected it of New Zealand. Mr Gabites forecast an at- . tempt to extend Chinese influence in the Pacific area, and emphasised that Russia was also a major Asian power. SOVIET ROLE “In recent months,” he said, “there have been indications that the Soviet Union is expanding its activities in the area. The appearance of Soviet ships in the Indian Ocean, the establishment of Soviet diplomatic offices in a number of South-East Asian capitals and the apparent disposition of the Soviet Government to take a more i active interest in bringing about a settlement in Vietnam are all pointers in this direction. “Again, I believe there is some advantage in having a more active Soviet involve- ’ ment in the area—so long as we recognise that Soviet interests and our own are not identical. We share a con-1 cern to see limits imposed , upon the extension of Chinese 1 influence. They may not be too impressed with the need I to maintain stability in South- ( East Asia but they do have < a vested interest in narrow- . ing the possibility of a con- 1 flict between the Great i Powers in the region. “There is, then, scope for a measure of co-operation with the Soviet Union. On the ; other hand, we must be prepared for an expansion of Soviet activity in the South Pacific. It cannot be assumed that the Russians will be content to keep their efforts—so far expressed largely I through fishing, attempts to exercise some political influence and a limited propaganda campaign—at their . present low level. We shall need to meet this challenge calmly but with skill,” he said. Mr Gabites also predicted increased Japanese and Latin American interest and influence in the Pacific. He said that he hoped to see New Zealand playing an expanded role in the South Pacific, and the strengthening of both its political and trade relationships with all the countries of the Pacific Basin.