N.Z. calls on Britain to avert crisis

Press, 28 July 1986, Page 3

N.Z. calls on Britain to avert crisis

By

PETER O’HARA

NZPA staff correspondent PA Edinburgh

New Zealand has called on Britain to change its policy on South Africa to resolve a crisis in the Commonwealth.

The Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Palmer, said that if there was "no movement” in Britain’s position "we are in a serious situation.”

Attending the boycottwracked Commonwealth Games, he urged heads of Government who will meet at a London minisummit next month to resolve the “crisis” in the Commonwealth.

"It would be a supreme

irony if it was the policies of the United Kingdom Government which brought to an end the Commonwealth.” Mr Palmer told a 8.8. C. interviewer that New Zealand would, without question, have imposed sanctions on South Africa if it had been in Britain’s position.

He said that "policies change ... and if there is no movement we are in a serious situation.” Mr Palmer saw the Commonwealth SecretaryGeneral Sir Shridath Ramphal, in London and Edinburgh and said there was no doubt a crisis existed in the Commonwealth.