Closer Tasman links urged

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33382, 14 November 1973, Page 2

Closer Tasman links urged

(N.Z.P.A. Staff Correspondent) CANBERRA, November 13. A call for a closer cultural exchange to match the advancements made in trade and foreign relations field between New Zealand and Australia was made today by the NewZealand Prime Minister (Mr Kirk).

i Opening the New Zealand chancellery in Canberra, Mr Kirk said great progress had been made on trade, foreignrelations and the full range

of governmental activities between the two countries in the last 10 months. “But. I want to suggest something further, something that is even niore basic,” Mr Kirk told the official guests, who included the Australian Prime Minister (Mr Whitlam). “If we are to live more on our own in the world then either of us has ever been, it is immensely important that our culture should be well based, alive and energetic,” Mr Kirk said. Australia and New Zealand had spent so much time absorbing other people’s cultures that their own cultures were still quite tender. “But. it needs to be strong if we are to be confident in our relations with the many diverse countries of this region. “I believe Australians and New Zealanders have more to contribute to each other than either yet realise,” Mr Kirk said.