PM Transcripts

ILU
US r KA I AC
PRIME MINISTER PRESS STATEMENT NO. 312
31 August 1974
DEATH OF NEW ZEALAND PRIME MINISTER
Norman Kirk's death is a deeply tragic loss for New
Zealand, Australia and the Pacific region.
New Zealand has lost a great leader. Australia has
lost a firm friend. The Pacific and South East Asian region
has lost a forceful and creative spokesman. The cause of
democratic socialism throughout the world has lost one of its
pillars of strength and sources of inspiration.
I have lost a dear and most highly valued friend.
We share a common ground of political experience in good times
and bad and an identity of basis beliefs which gave a closeness
and value to our personal relationship quite beyond the ordinary.
We became Prime Ministers of the two Pacific partners
within a week of one another and since that time have maintained
the closest communications including our five meetings in Wellington,
Apia, Ottawa, Canberra and Christchurch.
Under his Prime Ministership relations between New
Zealand and Australia reached an even higher level of co-operation
and understanding. We co-operated particularly closely in our
opposition to nuclear tests in the Pacific.
He achieved for New Zealand a position of genuine
leadership in the south west Pacific. He did this not only by
the nobility of his vision for his nation and the region but by
the personal qualities of integrity, compassion and sturdy
commonsense which earned him the confidence and affection of all
who had the privilege of working with him.
On behalf of all Australians I extend to our New
Zealand partners our deepest sympathy in the grievous loss we
have all suffered.