N.Z. 'does not want split in S.E.-Asia'

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34105, 18 March 1976, Page 18

N.Z. 'does not want split in S.E.-Asia'

f.V.Z.P A.-Reuter —Copyright?

SINGAPORE, March 17.

The Deputy Prime Minister (Mr Taiboys) today gave a warning against a split’s developing between the new Communist Governments of Indo-China and the non-Communist nations of South-East Asia.

“New Zealand has made it plain that so far as Indo-China is concerned she is ready to put the past behind and to develop new relationships. “We do not want to see South-East Asia split into two regions. It’s in nobody’s interest if this were to happen.” he said. Mr Taiboys welcomed the new line being shown by China in developing contacts in the area. “From the New Zealand vantage point th»s is desirable providing that it signifies a real willingness to enter into normal constructive relationships with the countries of the region,” he slid. ▲ c'lzasl if ha thniiOhf

Asked if he thought there was scope for any form of co-operation between Peking and the Governments in Wellington and Canberra, Mr Taiboys said: ‘1 know of no such proposal and I doubt there will be one. “Our concern is the same as people throughout the world that there should be some balancing of forces. What we would prefer to

8 see, of course, is that both . the Soviet Union and the United States move out of ’ the Indian Ocean,” he said. * The Russians have inI creased their naval forces in . the Indian Ocean, and the United States now has naval facilities on the mid-ocean , island of Diego Garcia. " “The Soviet Union is tak- ’ ing a more active interest in ’ Asia and the Indian Ocean,” * the Deputy Prime Minister . said. " “For a country like New ' Zealand whose shipping links go through South-East , Asia it is a significant _ development. In the light of ' Soviet activities elsewhere ' we shall have to watch that ’ closely.” ’ In the wake of the Com- " munist victories in Indo- ' China, Mr Taiboys said, a , new equilibrium had f emerged in South-East Asia , “and one of the conse- ’ quences is more opportunity J for governments of the , region to work together.” t New Zealand and Singapore today agreed to co- , operate in industrial, scien- ' tific, and technological dej velopment to strengthen economic links between the j two countries. Under an agreement signed by Mr Taiboys and the Singapore Finance Minister (Mr Hon Sui Sen) representa♦wes of the New Zealand partment of Scientific and industrial Research and the Singapore Institute of Standards and Industrial Research , will meet regularly to dis--1 cuss this co-operation. i Representatives of the New Zealand and Singapore Gov- • emment and private firms i and organisations will also • take part in the meetings. The agreement provides for the exchange of industrial, [ technological, and scientific information, joint research and joint business ventures, ! exchange of staff and visits I by technical experts, study , groups and delegations. The agreement grew out of an idea of the Singapore i Prime Minister (Mr Lee Kuan Yew) which he discussed with the late New Zealand Prime Minister (Mr Norman Kirk) when Mr Kirk visited Singapore at the end of 1973. The two Governments will

appoint "co-ordinators” to identify and follow up opportunities for joint activities in both the Government and private sectors.

“They will be matchmakers, marriage-brokers if you like, spotting openings where businesses in each country can team up,” Mr Taiboys said. Mr Hon said, “I am very interested to see an expansion of trade between our two countries and more investments and joint ventures from New Zealand particularly in the food processing, precision engineering and metal industries, and in the establishment of enterprises engaged in servicing and maintenance of equipment and consultancy services.”