N.Z. group optimistic on Tasman ties

Press, 2 May 1981, Page 2

N.Z. group optimistic on Tasman ties

NZPA staff correspondent Sydney A bi-partisan group of New Zealand politicans has had talks with the Australian Prime Minister, Mr Eraser, and other senior Australian ministers and has come away enthusiastic about prospects for a closer economic relationship with Australia. * The five .member delegation, led by the Under-Secre-tary for Trade and Industry, Mr Allen, had talks for threequarters of an hour with the Australian . Deputy Prime Minister. Mr Anthonj', on Wednesday and an hour of talks with Mr Fraser, the Foreign Minister. Mr Street, and the Minister of Immigration and Ethnic Affairs, Mr MacPhee, on Thursday. The New Zealanders said that they had discussed the many issues concerning the two countries and had come away with an insight into Australian thinking. Tasman relations have been strained by Australian opposition to the proposed Springbok tour of New Zealand. The Australians fear that the tour could jeopardise the Commonwealth heads of government meeting in Melbourne later this year and the Commonwealth Games in Brisbane next year. While the issues of the tour and Australia's insistence that New Zealand visitors carry passports have dominated headlines the two countries have been trying to progress towards a new trading relationship to replace the New Zealand Australia Free Trade Agreement. The New Zealand delegation. which includes Messrs L. Hunt, T. de V. Hunt, B. P. MacDonell, and C. B. Townshend, said that it believed

agreement on a new, closer economic relationship would eventually be reached. The talks with Messrs Fraser and Anthony had given it "particular enthusiasm” and the members of the delegation were sure that their approach would be shared on both sides of the Tasman. Mr Anthony will come to Wellington on May 9 for three days of talks with New Zealand ministers on the question of a closer economic relationship. He has. always been keen for a new trading agreement with New Zealand. The . New Zealand members of Parliament are on a two-week tour of Australia. Their optimistic statement has been welcomed in Canberra especially because it is seen as being the first bipartisan New Zealand statement on a closer economic relationship. Mr Anthony's talks in Wellington will start on May 11. He is expected to bring one and possibly two other Australian ministers with him: The Minister of Primary Industry, Mr Nixon, and possibly the Minister of Industry " and Commerce, Sir Philip Lynch. After two -years of official talks Australia and New Zealand have still to agree on a number of key aspects, including dates for the phasing out of export incentives and import licensing, which are difficult decisions for a New Zealand Government in an election year. Mr Fraser has already said in the Australian Parliament that as part of Federal spending cuts export incentives will be continued until 1983 but that for the 1982-83 year the grants will be cut by 50 per cent.