P.M. Gives Policy On Discrimination

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32265, 7 April 1970, Page 19

P.M. Gives Policy On Discrimination

The Government fully supported the aims of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination but the application of the convention to New Zealand was a matter which required careful consideration involving a detailed study of a wide range of relevant legislation, said the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) in reply to a correspondent to “The Press.”

The correspondent, M. O’Neill, wrote:— “March 21 is ‘Sharpville Day.’ The United Nations observes this as a day to mark disapproval of racial discrimination. Our Minister of Foreign Affairs has been surprisingly silent on New Zealand’s observance of this day. “At the end of February he advised that the Government had no plans. He replied to three M.P.S in Parliament in October, 1969, that he was awaiting a report from the departments concerned regarding this country’s ratification of the Elimination of Racial Discrimination Convention and hoped to have it by the end of the year. “By late February he still had no report. Will the Minister of Foreign Affairs please inform us when the Racial Discrimination Convention is to be signed, and what is the reason for the long delay?” Mr Holyoake, who is Minister of External Affairs, replied:— “In 1966 the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed March 21 ‘lnternational Day for the Elemina-

tion of Racial Discrimination,’ and each year member States, international organisations and non-governmental organisations are invited to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies. “In the past Government representatives have been invited to speak at public meetings and various individual national organisations have undertaken activities to observe and publicise the occasion. The Government does not consider it necessity to organise any ceremony itself to mark the occasion. “In this country the principles of racial harmony and equality are embodied in the Treaty of Waitangi of Febru-ary-6, 1840, and this is celebrated annually as an important national anniversary for New Zealanders at home and abroad. “The Government fully supports the aims of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and attaches importance ’to. New Zealand’s becoming associated with it. “The fact is, however, that the convention has been drawn up in very broad terms and contains certain provisions which apparently cannot be implemented within the existing framework of New Zealand legislation. “Some new legislation may therefore be required under certain articles of the convention, particularly articles IV and VI. The application of the convention to New Zealand is, for these reasons, a matter which requires careful convention involving a detailed study of a. wide range of relevant legislation. “I have no* yet received any final departmental recommendations on the subject but I can assure you that the study is proceeding. “New Zealand has always considered it a matter of importance to ensure scrupulous compliance with the terms of any international obligations it assumes. Nor is this country alone in having to give careful consideration to the question of commitment to the convention—numerous other countries, while strongly endorsing its aims, have not yet been able to become parties to the convention.”