Motion on Finance Ministers’ Conference

Press, 3 August 1981, Page 16

Motion on Finance Ministers’ Conference

The member of Parliament for Wellington Central, Mr Ken Comber, has written to “The Press” in response to an editorial which appeared on July 23. Mr Comber writes: “I have read your editorial to the effect that the Prime Minister should reverse his decision not to attend the Conference of Commonwealth Ministers of Finance at its new venue in the Bahamas. The text of a notide of motion that I have introduced into the House might be of some interest to your readers.

“That this House notes that because of the Springbok tour the Commonwealth Finance Ministers’ Conference will now be held in the Bahamas; further notes, that a Bahamas rugby team participated in the recent “Golden Oldies” tournament in the United States, which tournament also included teams from Canada, Japan, Jamaica, and South Africa; observes that the team in question played under the name "Conchs.” thus attempting to avoid any political repercussions for its own Government; and calls on the Labour Party to state if it would still persist in its determination to have New Zealand represented at this Finance Ministers’ Conference in spite of the gross insult to this country that such a transfer has occasioned.”

“Surely New Zealanders are entitled to ask, by what right can the Bahamas now host the Finance Ministers’ Conference?” .