Russians said to be ‘wooing’ N.Z. public

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34097, 8 March 1976, Page 2

Russians said to be ‘wooing’ N.Z. public

(B.

BRUCE KOHN

stcorrespondent)

WELLINGTON. The Russians appear to have mounted a public relations | offensive in New Zealand to counter the improved relationship between Wellington and Peking.

Diplomatic observers i have noted a surge in the number of entertainment groups Moscow wants to send, a lift in invitation.- for prominent New Zealanders to I Russia, and considerable Soviet interest in the prospects of a visit by a senior Cabinet Minister to Russia. In addition, the Russian Ambassador to New Zealand, has shown a willingness to be interviewed by newspaper representatives — in itself a • development calculated to arouse curiosity — and Air| New Zealand and Aeroflot! have iust completed an agreement on charter flights] I between Moscow and New! Zealand. This first ot public relations activity has been . developing over about 18i 'months, according to reliable] sources. They say it has! taken place against a background of < marked increase in contacts between Peking and Wellington. These contacts have in-1 volved ministerial visits by New' Zeaiand political leaders to Cnina. a greatly increased flow' of business! travel from New Zealand to' China. and cultural exchanges between the two countries In contrast. Wellington-] Moscow dealings appear much less impressive to diplomatic observers. The decision by the Prime, Minister, ;Mr Muldoon), to; visit Peking on his first overseas visit since assuming office heightened the (feeling among diplomats that, China w f as way ahead of Russia m the New Zealand' Government’s popularity ratings — a point unlikely to be missed in the Kremlin.

It is Known to be sensitive that its public relations activities should not fall behind fhose of its communist rival in countries of! ' independent spirit ’’

; Other lactors seen as pos-, ~ sible contributors to the Russian wooing of the New I Zealand public include the: Sutch trial, which involved 'charges embracing the activ-i .jities of Soviet representa-i fives here and the outcry! I against Russian fishing activities made bt New' Zealand fish trmen. , j New Zealand is known to | be anxious to step up its: sales of meat and dairy products to Russia: meat] sales in particular, are re-1 . ported to have fallen away lover the :ast two years. But it ,s understood Moscow’ is showing some interest in resun.ing purchases of! Iboth meat and dairy: 'products, and an agreement! on significant Russian pur-1 ,chase of dairy produce may: be announced soon. There :s speculation this purchase nay cover a quanity of milk powder, at present difficult to sell on

major world markets at “good” prices because of a global oversupply situation.