‘Short-lived’ threat to N.Z.

Press, 1 May 1981, Page 4

‘Short-lived’ threat to N.Z.

Parliamentary reporter

The United States agricultural lobby's preoccupation with countervailing duties against New Zealand would be short-lived, the departing United States ambassador to New Zealand, Mrs A. C. Martindell, said in Wellington yesterday. Mrs Martindell, who will leave New Zealand on Wednesday, said that the United States Administration opposed erection of duties against New Zealand agricultural imports, and that sheep producers' moves to erect a duty of 15 per cent to 20 per cent on New' Zealand lamb imports would not succeed. Farmers' moves to prevent casein entering the United States from New Zealand failed for the same reason, she said. Bills introduced to the Sen-

ate providing for levies or bans on New Zealand agricultural imports were put up by Senators to satisfy constituents, Mrs Martindell said.

"They know they won't get through, but they do it to meet their obligations to their constituents. I know. I’ve been a senator.” She said that moves towards countervailing duties were a bandwaggon event by small lobbies that would die a natural death. Mrs Martindell said tnat loss of support for the A.N.Z.U.S. Treaty in New Zealand or the United States would have an adverse effect on the bilateral relationship between the two countries, reports NZPA. The presence of the Secretary of State, General Alexander Haig, at the next

A.N.Z.U.S. council meeting in Wellington in June would indicate the importance the United States, attached to the alliance, she said.

The treaty, embracing New Zealand, the United States and Australia, was 30 years old this year, and “we think it is important to you, too.”

Mrs Martindell said that on her return to her home in New Jersey, she would use her “contacts” on behalf of New Zealand.

A Democrat appointed by the former President. Mr Carter, she said that if the right opportunity arose she would play a political role after her return.

A seat in the Congress or in the Senate might be her goal, should one be available which she might have a chance of winning.