N.Z. ‘champion* of small Pacific nations

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33035, 30 September 1972, Page 1

N.Z. ‘champion* of small Pacific nations

(By

BRUCE KOHN.

N.Z.P.A. staff correspondent)

NEW YORK, September 29. New Zealand yesterday adopted the role of champion of the causes of small South Pacific nations when her Minister of Foreign Affairs (Sir Keith Holyoake) spoke in the United Nations General Assembly.

He voiced their strong opposition to continued French nuclear testing in the Pacific, and on behalf of New Zealand urged that the United Nations provide more economic and specialised aid to them.

“There is scope for greater involvement of the United Nations in the economic progress of developing nations in the South Pacific. Only a very little more attention would do so much more for these small and isolated communities,’’ Sir Keith Holyoake said. He evoked the needs of lesser-developed nations in pressing New Zealand’s concern that smaller countries should get a better deal from the big industrial nations in liberalising trade in primary products. He told of concern expressed by the South Pacific forum about France’s failure to recognise the wishes of the people of the South Pacific by continuing its tests this year—the fifth series held in the Tuamoto Archipelago since 1967.

It had perhaps been because of the geographical remoteness of developing South Pacific nations that their problems had seemed remote. Loans were being made available to them, and specialised United Nations agencies were taking an interest. But much more needed to be done. “I urge the need for less international charity and more true international economic equity,” he said. The continuation of nuclear testing in French Polynesia was deeply resented by the

people of the Pacific. People were annrehensive about the tests, Sir Keith Holyoake said. “It is our intention to see the Assembly’s endorsement of calls to cease all nuclear weapons testing,” he said. "This is an issue on which the smaller States have to speak bluntly to some of the larger Powers whose activities affect us." The Leader of the Opposision (Mr Kirk) has welcomed the support other nations have given the second series of meetings at the United Nations to seek support for a comprehensive nuclear test ban.

He hoped, as a consequence, that material progress would be made towards ending nuclear tests, he said today.

“The willingness of other nations to co-operate in this matter does, however, undermine the credibility of the Government’s claims earlier this year that Pacific nations were not interested tn a conference of nations on this subject,” he said. “For political reasons, the Government humbugged the country; and the country should remember this, because nuclear testing is an important matter. "Now that the Government has been forced into doing the right thing there is hope of some progress, and the conference is welcome. The Labour Party strongly urged earlier this year that a conference be called, but we were rebuffed. "No matter how reluctant the Government is, it is always pleasing and welcome to know that it supports the principles of Labour Party policy,” Mr Kirk said.