THE PRESS FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 1978. Bonn’s attitude to N.Z.

Press, 9 June 1978, Page 12

THE PRESS FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 1978. Bonn’s attitude to N.Z.

"We are convinced that New Zealand will be able to fulfil its traditional role in the Pacific all the more effectively the more it develops its own economy,” said the new West German Ambassador to New Zealand (Dr Carl Doering) in what must be a speech welcome to New Zealand ears. Dr Doering passes on the views of the West German Government and his words are consistent with the attitude Bonn has expressed previously What Dr Doering has done is to say publicly in New Zealand what West Germany has been saving behind the scenes, and occasionally publicly, within the European Economic Community. New Zealand Ministers and officials have been arguing the same point for years; and all the more frequently since New Zealand has been badly hit economically. Within the European Community New Zealand is going to need all the help that it can get over the next few weeks. The export of lamb, which is New Zealand’s most important single export commodity, will be at risk if certain proposals for a sheepmeat policy are adopted by the E.E.C. Although West Germany is not itself greatly affected by the sheepmeat proposal, it may decide that the E.E.C. has to have a sheepmeat policy Germany may come to this conclusion out of Community spirit, in the possession of which it is second to none. Even so, it sounds as if West Germany will show’ great care that New Zealand’s interests will be safeguarded. West Germany has shown concern for New Zealand in the past, and an affirmation that this concern will continue comes at an opportune time. Two main factors motivate West

Germany over the South Pacific. One is that it wants to see stability in the area and believes that New Zealand, which concentrates its aid in this region, can play a significant part in maintaining stability. West Germany is more sensitive to East-West confrontation than any other Western nation. Whenever it observes trouble or friction anywhere in the world, and attributes the trouble to the Soviet Union, West Germany senses the possibility that the effects will spread to Europe, where it would be the first country affected. Even an area as distant from Europe as the South Pacific is w’atched closely by West Germany lest Soviet influence increases dramatically. The other reason for West Germany’s interest is that the Germans have long had links with certain Pacific countries. Western Samoa was a German colony until 1914 when New Zealand took it over. New Guinea was another German colony until Australia took it over in 1914. West Germany signed a Treaty of Friendship with Tonga in 1876 and a ceremony in 1976 marked the revival of that treaty. West Germany gives some bilateral aid to the area and through the E.E.C. is also engaged in an aid programme for the Pacific. Between 1975 and 1980 more than 830 million will be spent on this programme. This aid is given under the Lome Convention, under which the E.E.C. also gives access to produce from some tropical countries. The interests of New Zealand and West Germany towards the South Pacific coincide. It is encouraging that West Germany acknowledges this both in the statement by Dr Doering, and in a liberal attitude within the Community.