Japanese fishing issue

Press, 22 February 1978, Page 3

Japanese fishing issue

From Front Page Mr Muldoon said that the (Controversial issue of Japanese access to New Zealand’s 1200-mile fishing zone had not been discussed at his I meeting with Mr Suzuki. But. in view of the Japanese response to New Zealand on trade access, he thought it was unlikely that Japanese vessels would be fishing in New Zealand waters when the zone came into effect on April 1.

New Zealand has said it will not negotiate fishing rights with the Japanese until there is some response to New Zealand’s request for better access to the Japanese market.

Mr Suzuki, who said he had come to improve relations between the two countries, was asked by a journalist how his talks yesterday had improved relations. “I think we have managed to achieve a better degree of understanding and by exchanging opinions frankly with Mr Taiboys and Mr Muldoon we now understand each other better,” he said. With Mr Talboys in his talks with Mr Suzuki were the Deputy Secretary' of Foreign Affairs (Mr M. Norrish; the Assistant Secretary of Trade and industry (Mr E. A Woodfield); and the Deputy Director-General of Agriculture and Fisheries (Mr K. C. C. Durrant). New Zealand beef was the main dish on the menu at a working lunch Mr Talboys later gave for the Japanese envoy. Most of the morning’s discussions had centred on the entry of dairy products to Japan. The Japanese told Mr Talboys they had a surplus of dairy products and that it would be difficult to take more from New Zealand.

Mr Suzuki was guest last evening at a reception given by the New Zealand-Japan Businessmen’s Association.