Some setbacks, but also progress in 1971—P.M.

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32801, 29 December 1971, Page 2

Some setbacks, but also progress in 1971—P.M.

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, December 28.

The year’s events in South Asia, culminating in the warfare between India and Pakistan, had been so vast in scope, so tragic in their consequences, and so serious in their implications that they tended to overshadow more constructive and hopeful developments elsewhere, the Prime Minister (Sir Keith Holyoake) said in his annual review of international affairs.

“It is true that there have been setbacks in other places than South Asia,” he said. ”1 particularly regret the slide away from democratic practice in several Asian countries, the expulsion ol Taiwan from the United Nations, the failure of the Great Powers to measure up to their responsibilities in the field of peace and security, the continued financial decline of th? United Nations, and the long period of confusion and uncertainty in the international monetaiy situation, now fortunately solved. “Even so, I think 1971 will stand, in retrospect, as a turning point at which, foi good or ijl, international relationships in Europe and Asia were set on a new trach

B offering important prospects 1 for change. I “In Europe there has been significant progress towards the consolidation of the political. and economic * strength of the countries of c Western Europe, and ton wards the reduction of tong>f stantfing strains between d East and West The signature ®of the four-power agreep ment on Berlin will, I hope, e by easing contacts and comf, munications, reduce the fears il and suspicions that have d divided East and West Gergmany. *: “It will also, I hope, assist II those wider understandings, N not merely within Germany but also between Bonn-and II Moscow, that are essential if a the countries of Europe are •r to make that full contribution 11 to the peace and progress >f d the world, for which they are k so richly equipped.”

“As a new balance of I power begins to emerge in i Asia, it is essential that in i the world at large, Europe i should be able and willing to : bring its resources, experience and influence to bear, i I welcome the possibility that i the countries of the Con-' tinent should once again' stand on the threshold of a ’ major world role.” Sir Keith Holyoake says Britain's successful applica- 1 tion for membership of the 1 E.E.C. was the most signifi- 1 cant event for New Zealand. J The uncertainty in which New Zealanders had lived for 1 more than 10 years was oyer. The E.E.C. must be held to ' its promise to seek a com- 1 prehensive world dairy pro- 1 ducts agreement and not 1 frustrate New Zealand’s' efforts to diversify, Sir Keith ! Holyoake said. New Zealand would have 1 to think of Britain not as a

separate trading partner, but as a member of the enlarged Community. “Our ties, though close, will be less comprehensive than before.” Nearer home, there was a greater feeling of regionalism in, the South Pacific. New Zealanders were showing a greater awareness of developments in the region. In Asia the outstanding development had been the transformation of the international position of China, Sir Keith Holyoake said. Though he regretted the exclusion of Taiwan, he welcomed China’s assumption of its seat in the United Nations. "New Zealand representatives now have the opportunity in the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council to establish personal and working contacts with the representatives of China,”

he said. “In those and other settings New Zealand twill in due course test the prospects for closer and more direct relations.” Not too much should be expected of the first discussions between President Nixon and the Chinese leaders. The issues between the two countries were deepseated and stubborn. “But a lot will depend upon the spirit in which the talks are conducted, the atmosphere they generate, and the prospects they create for continued contact and negotiation.” Referring to the Vietnam war, Sir Keith Holyoake said that the lack of Communist response to Allied initiatives at the Paris talks, and the deadlock in negotiations, belied the professed Communist will for an early end to the fighting. New Zealand’s involve-

ment in the five-Power defence arrangements for Malaysia and Singapore was evidence ’of the close identity she had with the South-East Asian region. New Zealand contributed readily to international efforts to help alleviate the plight of the East Pakistani refugees, and also took action to ensure that the United Nations should not abdicate its responsibilities in the tragedy. The country had continued its efforts to help bring stability and economic development to poorer countries, particularly those in Asia and the Pacific. Total aid flows again showed a substantial increase over the previous year. He praised the involvement of the private sector in aid projects, and said he hoped it would continue to expand.