Change delay accepted

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33092, 6 December 1972, Page 2

Change delay accepted

(New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, December 5.

The Prime Minister-elect (Mr Kirk) said today that he did not see any way in which the swearing in of the new Labour Government could be speeded. The swearing-in ceremony will be on Friday.

The Prime Minister (Mr Marshall) said yesterday that he did not think the process of handing over government should be accelerated. Mr Kirk said today that the new Government could not take office legally until the recount of votes was com-

pleted and the writs returned. “Technically we are in power but what we have done is to follow the procedures which have been laid down,” he said. “It seems a long time, but December 8 seems to be the best date under the present procedures.” Mr Kirk said that in Australia Mr Whitlata could take over immediately, but he would be without a Cabinet. Labour had chosen to elect the Cabinet and then take over formally. CO-OPERATION GIVEN Mr Kirk said he had discussed this subject with Mr Marshall, who had given him every co-operation in the meantime. “Although there will be no need to look at the laws relating to the change for some time, we will have a look at them in perhaps three or four years," said Mr Kirk. Mr Kirk said that Mr Whitlam had expressed an interest in coming to New Zealand for talks between the two Governments, but a date had not been set. “We will be discussing a wide range of subjects — everything that affects the two countries,” he added.