GREETING BY PROXY

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32385, 26 August 1970, Page 1

GREETING BY PROXY

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, August 25. When the Dutch Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Mr H. J. de Koster, arrives in New Zealand on Friday as the Government’s guest he will be greeted by a back-bench member of Parliament According to Mr de Koster’s itinerary released today, Mr D. A. Highet, National M.P. for Remuera, will represent the Prime Minister (Sir Keith Holyoake) at Auckland Airport. Mr de Koster is due at 7.30 a.m. Mr de Koster’s first meeting with his hosts, the Government will not be until the next day—when the Deputy Prime Minister (Mr Marshall) calls on him at 9.45 a.m. at the Russley Hotel, Christchurch. Mr de Koster will fly to Christchurch about two hours

after his arrival at Auckland. Mr de Koster has been closely involved with the European Economic Community and is responsible for many aspects of the Dutch Government’s policy towards it The New Zealand Government invited him to come here. When the Prime Minister announced that Mr de Koster had accepted the invitation, he said: “The Government has made a special effort this year to encourage representatives of E.E.C. member countries to visit New Zealand to enable them to form a first-hand impression of New Zealand’s economic situation and the problems which British membership of the E.E.C. may pose for us.” Mr Marshall said in an interview tonight that the disruption of NA.C. air traffic was the reason why no minister was going to

meet Mr de Koster. A minister would have to go to Auckland on Thursday afternoon and would have to get permission to be absent from the House of Representatives. “Normally we try to meet ministers with ministers,” Mr Marshall said. Mr de Koster’s first public engagement will be an official welcome by Mr Marshall on Saturday morning. In the afternoon the Foreign Secretary will address the Institute of International Affairs at Canterbury University. Sunday and Monday will be devoted to sightseeing and on Tuesday Mr de Koster will have talks with the Government On Wednesday he will visit agricultural undertakings in Manawatu and Wairarapa. He will leave New Zealand on Thursday.