THE PRESS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1978. Sir Charles Court’s visit

Press, 2 December 1978, Page 12

THE PRESS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1978. Sir Charles Court’s visit

The visit to New Zealand of the Premier of Western Australia (Sir Charles Court) arises directly out of the tour of Australian states undertaken by the New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs (Mr Taiboys) in March of this year. Mr Taiboys was well received by Sir Charles Court and returned the invitation. The Premier’s visit is also part of an attempt by the New Zealand Government to pay more attention to the Australian states than it has in the past, as well as to the Federal Government. The extended trip Sir Charles is making—he began it on November 29 and will return to Australia on December 9—should bring to the attention of New Zealanders some aspects of Australia’s largest state, whose capital is further from Canberra than is Wellington.

Western Australia is immensely rich and has attracted many New Zealanders. The New Zealand Government hopes that the visit by Sir Charles will mean that some New Zealand firms will be encouraged to tender for some of

the numerous contracts which will be let in Western Australia when it develops its huge fields of natural gas off the North-west Shelf. The development of Kapuni and of Maui has given New Zealand a pool of experts whose knowledge could be put to use elsewhere. The major contracts may prove to be beyond the resources of New Zealand firms, but a number of smaller contracts might easily be picked up. After the visit by Mr Taiboys. Sir Charles Court appeared well disposed towards this country—and as he is Treasurer and the Minister Co-ordinat-ing Regional Development, as well as Premier, his attitude is likely to have some influence.

During his visit to Christchurch, which will begin on December 8, Sir Charles will pursue musical interests. He was the Australian champion cornet player when he was 18 and still occasionally appears with the Western Australia Symphony Orchestra. Here he will attend a performance by the Skellerup-Woolston Brass Band.