N.Z. MAY SEND ENVOY TO FIJI
(New Zealand Press .Association) WELLINGTON, February .A hint that the New Zealand Government might consider appointing a diplomatic representative to Fiji was gi today by the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake).
The Prime Minister said the “recent and welcome news” about Fiji’s constitutional development “is an important factor the Government will take into account” in reassessing the priorities of expanding representation overseas. “Developments in Fiji profoundly interest the New Zealand Government because they concern our closest South Pacific neighbours,” the Prime Minister said. Commenting on the announcement that constitutional talks between Britain and Fiji are to be held in London in April, he said:
dent state is particularly gratifying. “When I spoke about diplomatic representation in the House a few months ago I said the Government had in mind the.question of expanding New Zealand’s representation overseas, including Fiji.
about Fiji’s constitutions progress is an important factor the Government will take into account itj reassessing these priorities,’’ the Prime Minister said.
Diplomatic observers in Wellington have felt for some time that Fiji, along with South Korea and the Philippines, was high on the list of priorities for the appointment of a permanent New Zealand diplomatic representative.
“A balance between the obvious desirability and the costs involved have dictated our list of priorities. The recent and welcome news
“It is not for me to comment on the discussions which have taken place or to pre-judge the outcome of the proposed further discussions, but I am pleased to learn that, providing satisfactory agreements have been reached, independence could follow in the near future. “New Zealand has been proud to play a part in assisting the constitutional developments of other, now independent, South Pacific countries, notably Western Samoa and Nauru,” the PrimeMinister said. “The prospects of Fiji joining these other South Pacific nations as an indepen-
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Bibliographic details
Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32215, 6 February 1970, Page 22
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307N.Z. MAY SEND ENVOY TO FIJI Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32215, 6 February 1970, Page 22
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