Race relations lesson for Aust, from N.Z.?

Press, 23 November 1987, Page 6

Race relations lesson for Aust, from N.Z.?

PA Waitangi The Australian Prime Minister, Bob Hawke, said yesterday he believed his country could learn from New Zealand’s race relations.

Mr Hawke was speaking at the end of a week-end of talks and relaxation with the Prime Minister, Mr Lange, in the Bay of Islands. Mr Hawke said he had “lengthy and useful discussions’’ with the New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Palmer, a few weeks ago and he had arranged for Mr Palmer to talk to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Mr Hand.

“I listened with considerable interest to the sorts of developments that are taking place here, the concept of the tribunal, the capacity of individuals, as well as groups, to take claims to the tribunal,” Mr Hawke said,

"But I would believe that you would not make the claim any more than we do that you’re perfect in this area.

“It’s an extraordinarily sensitive and difficult area, but what we have in common is a commitment to try and do as much as possible to ensure that injustices of the past are rectified as far as is possible within our power to

do so.” Mr Hawke also said he saw no direct link between the racial problems in Australia and the growth of indigenous people’s movements In Fiji and New Caledonia. “I do have some concern that some people and some interests around the place would seek to make the sort of Identification between some of these issues. "Most of the people who do this don’t do it from the point of view of trying to advance the Interests of indigenous people In the country’s concerned, but for their ulterior political motives.”