’Major storm’ brewing?

Press, 11 June 1977, Page 2

’Major storm’ brewing?

'PA Sydney Australian newspapers [yesterday continued to highlight an alleged rift in Aus-tralia-New Zealand relations, i Drawing on reports from London about clashes in the attitudes of the New Zealand Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) and the Australian Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) to three Commonwealth issues, they continued to cast Mr Muldoon in the role; of an antagonist. Under a four-column head-j line, “Muldoon still angry,” I the Sydney “Sun”’ said that! a major row between the! two leaders is snowballing) into a major storm at thei Commonwealth Conference. "Officials of some delegations are trying to calm the two leaders before it becomes a public slanging match.” it reported. Although Mr Muldoon "tried to play it cool,” he showed “his obvious dislike for Mr Fraser.” The issue attracted consid-[ enable attention in three of Australia’s most influential newspapers. The Melbourne “Age” led its front page with Mr Fraser’s anti-apartheid comments in his speech to the conference, and in a companion item the paper’s political correspondent, Michelle Gratton, referred to the falling-out between the two leaders at a dinner on Tuesday evening.

In an, editorial comment, the “Age” described Mr Muldoon as “not the most subtle of leaders, in mind or speech.” The paper defended Mr Fraser's stance on sports relations with South Africa and said: “Mr Muldoon and his Government would be wise to review their priorities in the light of New [Zealand's international relations and national interests.” ■ I Ln an editorial headed [“Unfortunate row in the| [family,” the “Australian”! [said it was unfortunate that; “Mr Fraser’s practical atti-i ■tube toward the realities of) 'the racial situation in south-! iern Africa should have re-i [suited in a public diatribe 1 [against Australia” by Mr[Muldoon. Perhaps the most disturb-' ling report was that in thei [“Financial Review.” It said [that “probably the most; ; overt rift that has so far oc-l [curred between the two! ■countries in the international! ■arena” could threaten New! [Zealand trade with Austra-' (lia. ■ Although Mr Fraser had; [declined to reply publicly toi !Mr Muldoon, he' was known) [to be annoyed to an extent: • that could affect the whole! [trading relationship between' ithe two countries, the; • “Financial Review” said. 1 1