P.M.s declare C.E.R. advance

Press, 23 November 1987, Page 1

P.M.s declare C.E.R. advance

PA

Waitangi

The Prime Ministers of New Zealand and Australia yesterday announced historic plans to step up closer economic relations between the two countries — a move which could see a single market by the early 19905.

The 1995 date for complete free trade across the Tasman has been brought forward, with trade In services to be added to trade in goods under C.E.R. The new deal to fast track progress was announced by the Prime Minister, Mr Lange, and his Australian counterpart, Mr Hawke, at the end of four days of summit talks. Mr Hawke said C.E.R. had been an extremely successful step for both countries, but they were now entering a new chapter in those relations. “We believe we now have to take a further accelerated step which is important, not simply in terms of mutual benefit to New Zealand and Australia, but important in terms of positioning our countries to be more outward looking and competitive with the rest of the world,” he said. The two countries would now aim for complete free trade In goods by the early 19905, the extension of C.E.R. to trade In services, and the regulation of Investment restrictions.

Mr Lange said that when the original agreement was concluded five years ago, 1988 was seen as a “precautionary pause.” The Australia-New Zealand Business Council now looked on an extension of C.E.R. with a “much more positive enthusiasm than hitherto existed.” “Now we are looking at what can be done to bring forward the 1995 dates which were originally postulated in the agreement,” he said. The Prime Ministers ruled out, however, a full economic union or common market, as being too far down the track at this stage. Mr Hawke conceded that such a move was in some people’s minds. “I have not committed myself to the fact it is going to happen.

If it is going to happen, it is far down the track.”

The two leaders also dismissed any possibility of a political union between the countries.

Mr Lange said: “I value the sovereignty of New Zealand, as I am sure the Prime Minister values the sovereignty of Australia.

“Neither of us is talking about; bartering it away.” The leaders said they were looking at August next year as the date for signing a new agreement on C.E.R. The month coincides with Australia’s bicentennial celebrations.

Mr Lange said that officials were being asked to come up with a working plan for a new deal by February next year, with the Ministers of both countries to finalise the review by June. “We will then meet again sometime about August next year so that we can draw the threads together,” Mr Lange said. Mr Hawke said that any problems or difficulties which arose during the Ministerial negotiations would be decided by an honorary court of appeal. Mr Lange said putting a new deal together was politically ambitious.

“Its economic rationale is, however, absolutely compelling, as the two countries so integrate their economies to face a world which is challenging and daunt* Ing.” Asked where they saw the two countries in 10 years time, Mr Lange said he saw New Zealand and Australia as a "great trading combination.” Mr Hawke said he would like to see New Zealand and Australia “vibrant, relevant units Ip the region.”

PA Waitangi New Zealand police took no chances when the Prime Ministers of New Zealand and Australia went big game fishing in the Bay of Islands yesterday.

A police frogman searched the hull of the $6OO-a-day Lady Doreen for bombs before Messrs Lange and Hawke went aboard.

The two leaders went fishing as a break from their four-day summit talks.

They later maintained a diplomatic silence on who caught the heaviest fish. But Mr Hawke admitted Mr Lange caught two to his one. "The fish are very patriotic," Mr Hawke told reporters and photographers afterward. “They stayed on David’s line much more than mine.”

The two men fished for nearly two hours In a twometre swell.

But they were able to declare afterwards that neither was sick, which was more than could be said for some of the journalists following the action from a craft nearby. Mr Lange joked that the journalists had encouraged the fish by disgorging predigested organic material into the ocean.

But the press had the last laugh when spray from the wake of their boat drenched Mr Hawke as the craft at one stage

came perilously close. The expedition capped a week-end of personal triumph for Mr Hawke, whatever the outcome of the summit talks.

Making his first visit to New Zealand in nearly five years in power, he partnered the Australian High Commissioner, Mr Bill McKinnon, to a golf win over the New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Palmer, and the Minister of Maori Affairs, Mr Wetere, at Waitangi. But the highlight was Mr Hawke’s first visit to a marae, where he stole the show with a rousing rendition of “Waltzing Matilda.”

The two leaders were an hour late visiting the Otiria Marae in Moerewa on Saturday, after their R.N.Z.A.F. Andover had to be diverted from Kerikeri to Whangarel because of bad weather.

They had to complete the journey by road.

Torrential rain also soaked the visitors as they arrived at the marae and the traditional Maori welcome was transferred indoors.

But the wet weather was a good omen, according to a Maori elder, Sir James Henare. He told the two leaders

it was an old Maori tradition that a storm or heavy rain was a signal that high chiefs were visiting the area. "You are no exception,” he said. Mr Hawke, who opened and closed his speeches in Maori, said it was an honour to be invited to a marae. He then began singing “Waltzing Matilda,” which the audience quickly joined in. He later climbed on to the stage with grassskirted women for another sing-song. Mr Lange, on behalf of the Governor-General, Sir Paul Reeves, presented a Maori elder, Mr Rae Honetana, with an>M.B.E. The weather' later cleared for Mr Hawke to take to the golf course. When asked what was at stake, he laughed and replied: “Free access for all Australian merchandise to New Zealand or vice versa.” Mr Hawke will leave the Bay of Islands early today for Auckland to “step the mast” of the sailing vessel Akarena, which is being given by New Zealand to mark Australia’s bicentennial celebrations next year. He then flies back to Canberra.