P.M.’s ‘error’ attacked

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34156, 18 May 1976, Page 18

P.M.’s ‘error’ attacked

(New Zealand Frcss .IssdctatiOf-

WELLINGTON, May 17. The “error” made by the Prime Ministei (Mr .Muldoon) in statements about a Russian

naval presence in the Tasman Sea should have taught him not to shoot from the hip on

foreign policy, the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Rowling) said today.

In a statement. Mr Rowling j said: “I am delighted to seel the Prime Minister is capable ‘ of admitting he can be w'rong: on a matter of fact.” Mr Muldoon had confirmed, today that no Russian naval! vessels had been sighted in] the Tasman for at least two( years, but Mr Rowling ] that in South Korea a few weeks ago the Prime Minis- ! ter had been claiming Soviet: naval units had been identi-

ified in the Tasman during th. last 12 months. ] "1 hope the Prime Minister I has learnt from this error that ,foreign policy cannot be made jin the hip-shooting manner ihe so loves to use for domestic politics. ] “It requires a subtle touch, land it is time he listened to I his advisers before opening I his mouth about subjects on I which his knowledge is slim.' he said.

■] Mr Muldoon said he had ] discussed the developing situation among Island states | with American leaders who had visited New Zealand ] recently and had not the slightest doubt that a fi-ming [up of the Russian presence lin the South Pacific would be lof considerable concern to the United States. ( New Zealand was not considering making a unilateral ] declaration of a 200-mile economic zone but the depletion of off-shore fishing grounds i would become increasingly (important to New Zealand ; He said the Government i had never claimed it could protect the 12-mile limit with ] absolute efficiency but the ]2OO-mile limit could be used [for the making of treaties 'embracing fishing rights. Everyone he had talked to ' while overseas had expressed the view that the 200-mile (limit would be agreed at the : United Nations Law of th< | Sea conference.