Reagan regime ‘best for New Zealand’

Press, 8 November 1984, Page 8

Reagan regime ‘best for New Zealand’

PA Wellington New Zealand’s interest will be best served by a continuation of a Reagan Administration in Washington, says the American Ambassador Mr Monroe Browne. Speaking in Wellington last evening after the Democratic contender, Mr Walter Mondale, had conceded defeat in the face of the Republican landslide, Mr Browne, a personal friend of President Reagan, said the United States would pursue its anti-protectionist trading policies, which would be in New Zealand’s best interests. “We are free trade from A to Z,” he said.

Mr Browne said President Reagan had personally intervened on a number of occasions when special interest groups in Washington had threatened New Zealand’s trading interests. “He had the courage to Sut the lobby groups aside,” e said.

Mr Browne said free trade was essential for the Pacific region and the Reagan Administration was also delighted with New Zealand’s Closer Economic Relations agreement with Australia.

However, he considered the voluntary restraints agreement on New Zealand beef exports to the United States would continue as United States agriculture was going through a difficult period. “If there are protectionist pressures they will continue to come from agriculture. They think New Zealand and Australia have a pretty good deal.” On whether a newly election Reagan Administration would be prepared to put the nuclear warships issue on the back burner in the meantime, Mr Browne said, “No. Let us be very clear on that.” He said the United States had spent several years building its strength. It was now hoping to achieve suc-

cess through strength in arms reduction talks, and the last thing that was needed was a problem with friends and allies. The domino effect of such a stance was obvious, he said.

Mr Browne said no trade sanctions would be imposed in response to New Zealand’s ship visits policy, but he said that in Washington,' where there was a complicated division in the Government and competition between agencies and departments, United States foreign policy was not formulated solely by the Secretary of State. Commerce, agriculture and defence in particular all had their say in this policy. Just recently, he said, the Administration had consulted with New Zealand before the planned dairy sale to Iraq and, in the trade bill, the Administration had successfully safeguarded New Zealand’s $llO million casein trade in spite of Congressional pressure.