Overseas tour by Mr Marshall

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33478, 8 March 1974, Page 2

Overseas tour by Mr Marshall

<5 Z Press .Association/ i WELLINGTON, March 7. A five - week overseas tour will be made in April and May by the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Marshall). Mr Marshall said today! that he hoped to visit countries of importance to New Zealand in trade and foreign policy including Moscow and Peking. The tour will include Chile. ( Peru, major capitals in North | America and Europe. Mos-' cow, Peking, and Indonesia Mr Marshall said the Gov-i emnicnt would pay for his •trip; he would pay for his

wife who would accompany I him. As the leader of the alternative government in New Zealand it was important that (he should keep in touch with developments in the world, [said Mr Marshall. He had 'been getting all the assistance he needed from the Foreign Ministry which was arranging appointments for ihifh. He planned a short visit to South America, with special emphasis on New Zealand trade prospects , it would lie his first visit to that area, (and also his first to Moscow ; and Peking. In Washington he would have discussions on trade and foreign policv with members of the Administration.

Mr Marshall said that the main purpose of his visit to [Europe was to discuss New [Zealand’s relations with (Britain and the E.E.C. In ! Paris he hoped to meet Ministers for discussion on prosipects for the extensions of [New Zealand’s E.E.C. protocol. He would also discuss the •French programme for ■nuclear testing. Like the Government, the Opposition was opposed to nuclear testing bv anyone, anywhere, at an” time. He*hoped he might be able to “soften the exasperation" of French Ministers over "extreme forms of protest” (without conceding New Zm•land’s position against tne, •tests.

Mr Marshall said he would spend a week in London; (visiting a number of MinisIters in the new Government, [many of whom were already : well known to him. He would talso visit members of the: [Conservative Party. He intends to’ arrive in Moscow in time to see the (May Day celebrations, and (expects to be able to meet! (foreign affairs and trade officials. He will then go direct to; Peking, where he will be the; guest of the New. Zealand; Ambassador (Mr B. Harland). • hopes to meet Chinese ‘ Ministers. In Indonesia, Mr Marshall; hopes to assess that coun-1 [try’s potential as a future; •market for New Zealand. i