Closer trans-Tasman links favoured

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33065, 4 November 1972, Page 21

Closer trans-Tasman links favoured

New Zealanders and Australians had much in common, and it was desirable that there should be closer trading, cultural, and other links between the two countries, said a senator for South Australia, Senator G. S. Davidson, in Christchurch on Thursday. Senator Davidson is in New Zealand to attend the conference of the Australasian Council of Local Government Associations, to be held in Wellington next week. The conference will be attended by delegates from all Australian states as well as from New Zealand. Senator Davidson, who served in South Australian local government for 10 years before entering national politics about 10 years ago, is secretary of the Australian Government’s Canberra Committee on Local Government. DAIRY NEEDS

Asked about suggestions that New Zealand provide Australia with more of its dairy needs, Senator Davidson said he thought Australia could provide its own needs.

However, if an arrangement could be worked out whereby the dairy industries in both New Zealand and Australia would benefit, then there was a case for some discussion on the question. Senator Davidson said that while in New Zealand he wanted to examine “the total industrial picture” of Australia and New Zealand. If firms in the two countries could combine to mount an export drive — perhaps by making different parts of the same product on each side of the Tasman — then such enterprises should be studied further, he said.

There were some fairly strong views held in Australia on the question of foreign investment in industry and development, Senator Davidson said. “But Australia is a big and diverse country, and to develop the mining, natural gas, and other con-

cems we have needed risk capital.” Such risk capital had not been available from Australia itself. For some time, Australia’s development would be greatly assisted by foreign investment. There were fields in many areas where very large sums of money were required, and with it, the kind of adventurous expertise which went with the organisations which had this sort of money to invest. CONTROL OF RESOURCES In countries such as Australia, foreign investment was of the greatest possible assistance, but countries should always be watchful that control of their own natural resources did not pass out of their hands. Senator Davidson said. Senator Davidson will visit Queenstown, Mount Cook, and Milford Sound before travelling to Wellington, and will spend eight days in New Zealand.