Businessmen want C.E.R. trouble-shooters

Press, 20 June 1984, Page 8

Businessmen want C.E.R. trouble-shooters

PA Auckland New Zealand and Australian businessmen will set up a trouble-shooting party to work with government officials in solving problems arising from the closer economic relations agreement.

They also issued a strong recommendation yesterday to the governments of both countries that industrial investment applications be removed from the investment row to break the impasse which is holding up about 132 Australian proposals. The moves came amid signs that high-level diplomatic initiatives to solve the year-long investment wrangle are likely to be delayed until after the New Zealand election next month.

The Australian Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Bowen, yesterday cancelled a formal meeting planned with Sir Robert Muldoon because of election sensitivities. Instead, Mr Bowen dined with Sir Robert on Monday evening.

The Australia-New Zealand Businessmen’s Council ended its two-day conference in Auckland yesterday with a recommendation that both governments agree to setting up a joint committee to work with officials on C.E.R. problems as soon as they arise. The businessmen’s committee would recommend solutions for consideration by both governments.

At this stage, it is proposed that the committee comprise two representatives from the AustraliaNew Zealand Businessmen’s Council, one from the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation and one from the Confederation of Australian Industry.

The committees of the two councils earlier sent a joint recommendation to both Mr Bowen and Sir Robert strongly recommending that early action be taken by both governments to set up a working party of officials and senior industry representatives to find acceptable procedures for trans-Tasman industrial investment.