N13 ZEALA" D TOUR 1967
FILAL PRTS'S CONFERENICE IVEN BY THE PRI MI I mRZr
ON LVI1-4-NE' ZALAND, CIRISTCIURCH AIRPORT
8TH FZ3RUXRY, 1967.
MR. HOLT: tle have reached the hlst stage of this very interestiny
enjoyable and informative visit to NIew 2ealand and shortly we shl
be taking off again for Australia. I am quite certain that for me
and indeed for your Prime Minister it has been a most valuable
visit. I have learned a great deal more about Mew Zealand and in
our intimate talks tngether your Prime Mirister and I have been
aole to exchan-e views on a wide range of matiers, which will be
of assistance o us both in our nolicy formation. The overwhelming
impression I shall be taking back to Australia with me and I am
sure this is shared by all members of the party is an overwhelming
impression of the goodwill * nd friendliness we have ercountered
wherever we have gone a.: o ut this country. There have been quite
spontaneous little groups of people, sometimes pulled up at the
roadside, sometimes in tourist buses. iherever we have gone we
have found that there have been cheerful smiles and happy friendly
xreetin-s. Frankly I haven't heard a sour voice since 1 left
Australia. And this confirms the belief I brought to this country
that our two peoples -are close to ether closer perhaps than any
other two peorle in the world. Iot only is there this definite
friendliness nd warmth of xoodwill but our interests are so closely
linked together thit this ; ill continue down the years ahead.
I didn't have a crowd in the Southlnd or South Island because
Southland has p articular significance for you I know and the only
cloud was that thit derived from the tragic episodes of the past two
days. Even there our sorrow in Australia was so obviously shared by
the people of this country and helped iaga in to emphasise how close.
we are to-e ther. I hive received fLessages of sympathy in respect
of both tiese triagic events from your Prime inister and I appreciate
that, as I am sure will my fellow countrymen.
I am seeing something of the tremendous tourist potential of
these Islands, and I shall be discussing with my own Linister for
Tourist Activities 1a: ys in which the tw countries can work more
closely toether. Your Prime inizter has from me on open invitation
to visit tustralia ' whenriever he can find the opportunity to do so. I
hope thtt there will ue other visits by Ministers riot necessarily
accompanied by the same formality but able as good friends can to
meet informally with us and see for themselves what we are tryin to
do on our own greit Continent. It has been, I repeat, a most valuable
visit and I am griteful to the Prime inister, his Jovernment nd to
all those ah? have assisted so pleasantly in m9king this journey a
profitable, informative and ernjoyaole one.
MR. E BLETON: ' entlemen, any questions?
Q. ( Inaudible, but obviously relting to forthcoming visit by Mr.
J4cEwen). . ell I expect him to be here very soon. I can't put a
nrecise date on it but I hid gathered from him it was likely to be
some time in February, and as to the scope of the discussions t; iere
* aaiih I shall be leavin it in his hands very largely I didn't
-ather from " iembers of your Jovernment ouite the same tone which I
iad detected in some of the editorials -nd some of the statements.
I think there is a , eneral feeling thint the agreement his not been
running for very lo1g. I gave a public assurance that from our
point of view, we wanted it to w-ork to the mutual benei. t of both
countries. . e see in a developing, prospering New Z] e. land opportunities
for our own trade just as we hope you ai 1 find in a growing, prospering / 2
-2-
Australia opportunities for yours. If the agreement isn't working out
in a way that is regarded by both countries as beneficial then you will
find us helpful and constructive in our attitude twards it.
Q. Not only as far as Australia is concerned but defence how
closely will you see the arrangement between New Zealand and
Australia? F. M. I oelieve we have security problems in common in this area.
are the two countries of European civilization in this part of
the world. W'e have opportunities, I oelieve, for trade with the
growing economies of Asia and, in particular, South East Asia, and
those opportunities will be more fully developed if there is an
area at peace. It is the goal of ot of us to do what we can to
produce a negotiated peace that will oe a just and enduring peace
so that where we have to join '' ith others in producin the framework
for peaceful negotiations, then I believe our interests run parallel.
Q. This closeness of our efforts in so many cases, how is this
going to affect our relations between our two countries.
P. M. I am sure we will come close together over the years. Indeed
I am confident myself that this visit ' vith an even deeper friendship
uetween the two Prime iinisters vill make its contribution, as will
the contact made with the TMem. ers of your Jovernment and your people.
There will, I am confident, be a -rowing realisation that we must
stand closely together if ve are to serve our interests in the world.
Q. ' e have waited 15 years, something like that, for an Australian
Prime Minister's visit, now how long will we have to wait before
another one?
P. M. You must have b': en speiking. with someone in the North Island.
They told me in Christchurch they h-ve waited 179 yers for the first
visit of an Australian Prime Minister. It certainly'won't be anything
like 179 and not even 15 before you have another, if I'm allowed to
make a return to what have been very delightful centres that I have
visited in the course of this journey. And of course, after such a
long aosence I must include a visit to the orth in any itinerary
I follow on a subsequent visit.
Q. And finally, Mr. Holt, did iMr. Holyoake indicate any particular
likelihood of any kind tht he would take up your invitation of a
visit to Australia?
P. M. No, not pm-rticularly, but he knows it is there and he doesn't
have to make any long preparation or give us long notice. He will
be welcome any time he feels he can make the journey. And that goes
for his Ministers too.
Q. ( Inaudible).
P. M. As soon as I heard the first outline of the disaster I teleraimmed
to the Premier of the State asking him if help was oeing given ani if
there was any way in which help could ue given. I put a phone call
through to him at the same time but found that I. M. Reece, the Premier,
hid been on a visit to the mainland at the time of the fire. I spoke
to his Deputy, MIr. Fagan, and he gave me details of the loss s 1own
at that point of time. There were then 20 lives lost and 15 to
people not accounted for. It was estimated that some 700 to 800 homes
had been destroyed, as well as several factories, including the Carbide
Factory and the Cascade 3re', ery. Emergency arrrngements have been
made to take care of the homeless in the depots, town halls and that
kind of thing. I asked -hether our Armed Services had oeen called in
to help, but he said they had ueen very helpful yesterday and were
continuin their help, although the fire at that point had been brought
under control. Apparently yesterday there was a wind of 60 miles per
hour blowin and a temDerature of 105 which, of course is very unusual
for Tasmania. Since then I have learned from my own Office which I
contacted in Canberra that my colleague, the Deputy Prime Minister,
had made arrangements for one of our Ministers, Mr. Howson the Minister
for Air, who is also the Minister assisting the Treasurer, to act
as Commonwealth Liaison Minister for purposes of assistance, and we
shall, of course, be looking sympathetically at what can oe done in
this matter. There will be problems of re-employment, re-housing
problems a great variety. It so happens that next week a meeting
had been arranged of the Iremiers of the six States with me, and
this will provide a very convenient opportunity for me to discuss
these matters with them and with the Premier of the State himself.
3ut that is about all I can tell you at this stage.