Political union ‘by end of century’

Press, 3 December 1987, Page 6

Political union ‘by end of century’

By

BRENDON BURNS,

political reporter

Political union of New Zealand and Australia by the end of the century has been advocated by a visiting Australian member of Parliament.

Mr Gordon Bilney, who chairs the Commonwealth Parliament’s joint Foreign Affairs, Trade and Defence Committee, advanced the case for union yesterday before New Zealand’s equivalent committee.

His visit has been paid for by the New Zealand Government and follows only eight days after that of Australian Prime Minister, Mr Bob Hawke.

Mr Hawke and Mr Lange had agreed on advancing the timetable for further economic integration between New Zealand and Australia.

Mr Bilney said, “When the question of political union was raised, they shied like startled horses and ran a mile.” He told Parliament’s Foreign Affairs and Defence select committee that it was time for people of vision to advocate economic union by the end of the century. Immediate opposition came from the commit-

tee’s chairman, Mr Jim Anderton, (Lab., Sydenham), who said apart from national pride, there were differing viewpoints in New Zealand on some issues.

He said the ban on nuclear ship visits was one such area. There was also a different approach to the affairs of native populations.

Mr Anderton said there would be much opposition by New Zealanders to' union with Australia.

Mr Bilney said he did not have the slightest doubt about there being opposition on both sides of the Tasman to the concept. If the idea were proposed to take effect next week, it would be incinerated by public opinion.

There were differences between the countries and these could be exacerbated by people “grandstanding” on either side of the Tasman. It would be better if the debate centred on the positive aspects of union, which was the ultimate and most desirable object. Mr Bilney did not believe any differences were insurmountable. He said Australia and New Zealand share the

same goal of nuclear disarmament, but differed on how to achieve this. Much could change within the next decade, he said.

It was only an accident of history that the two countries had not been linked together at the turn of the century, he said.

“It should have happened before 1900 — let’s not miss our chance in 2000.” New Zealand and Australia were not just economic partners and the closest of friends.

“We are two peoples whose destinies are linked in a way which is unique in the world,” said Mr Bilney.

It was now time to start looking at the ultimate link: political union. He discounted any suggestion that New Zealand would have only minimal influence in a union with Australia.

Any comparison with it having similar clout to Tasmania, for example, was not valid.

“I don’t know how much of Australia Ron Brierley owns, but you may bring this all about by selling Australia,” he quipped.