NEW ZEALAND VISIT
WELLINGTON 16 APR 1968
JOINT COMMUNIQUE ISSUED BY NEW ZEALAND
PRIME MINISTER HOLYOAKE AND AUSTR-LIAN
PRIME MINISTER GORTON 28 MAiRCH 1968
The Prime Ministers of A ustralia and New Zealand greatly
welcomed the opportunity provided by Mr Gorton's goodwill visit to New
Zealand to discuss a wide range of subjects, expecially those which
affect relations between the two countries.
Mr Holyoake and his colleagues expressed their
appreciation that it should have been to New Zealand that Mr Gorton
paid his first visit outside Australia as Prime Minister. Both Prime
Ministers noted with satisfaction that the visit reflects the very close
ties between Australia and New Zealand.
The talks have also been most timely in view of the
forthcoming meetings at Wellington in connection with SEATO, kANZUS
and the Viet Nam war.
This meeting took place against a background of increasing
consultation and co-operation between Australia and New Zealand.
Not only do the two countries continue to work together
within alliances and groupings such as ANZUS, SEATO, tsia and the
Pacific Council ( ASPAC) and the Commonwealth, and in international
forums such as the United Nations, but the essence of their relationship
is-to be found in the close contacts between them which are constantly
maintained at many levels.
The Prime Ministers viewed with satisfaction the trend
greatly strengthened since the visit to New Zealand last year by the late
Mr Holt for more frequent consultation between the two Governments,
and agreed they would do all that was necessary to ensure that these
exchanges will continue and increase.
The discussions were informal, their chief purpose being
to acquaint the Prime Minister more fully with each other's thinking.
They covered not only developments in relations between the two countries
but international questions, especinlly the two countries' policies in
South-East Asia and the Pacific and their attitudes to tnterna. tional trade.
The Prime Ministers sgreed that while the aggression in
Viet Nnm continues, the two countries will maintain their military support
to the Republic of Viet Nam and its Allies. At the same time, they will
endeavour to assist the search for peaceful solution. Both countries
accept the need to continue civil aid to assist the social and economic
reconstruction of that country.
The acceleration of the withdrawal of British Forces from
South E. st Asia is of deep concern to both countries and has prompted
both Governments to reassess, in consultation with their Allies in the / 2
-2
region, the role Australia and New Zealand are best fitted to play.
With regard to the situation-n South-East Asia
generally, the Prime Ministers were particularly heartened by the
disposition of many of the States in this region to work together for
peace and prosperity. Through ASPkIC, the Colombo Plan, the
Economic Commission for Asia and the Far-East ( ECAFE), and the
Asian Development Bank-to which Australia and New Zealand belong,
both countries demonstrate their sense of continuing Involvement In the
progress and stability of the arec.
The Prime Ministers welcomed the recent formqtion
of the Association of .0outh-East Asian Nations ( ASEA~ N)-and the development
of a closer working relationship between Indonesia and its
neighbours. The Prime Ministers also -discussed their continuing
Interest in the iff airs of the-South Pacific, an area with which Australia
and New Zealaind have intimate ties and in whose development both
countries are closely involved,
Both countries have ak common concern in the stability
of international commodity-trade, and in this field they tr,' ditionslly
adopt q co-operative approach. The Prime Ministers noted that world
markets for dairy products were under intensive pressure because-of
subsidised competition, and agreed that an international solution was
urgently needed. An attempt to achieve an interim solution w~' s at
present-being made in the GATT. Both Governments are striving to
ensure a successful outcome to these negotiations.
Matters relevant to the Free Trade Agreement
between r-, ustralia and New Zealand will be the subject of further
discussions between Mr Mc-7wen and Mr Marshall next week. The
Prime Ministers agreed on the importance of doing everything possible
to ensure the success of the agreement and that it was a key factor in
the healthy development of both economies.
The discussions between the Prime Ministers, which
took place in -g most friendly atmosphere, have-given them both valuable
Insights into the respective policies of Australia and New Zealand over
a wide range of subjects. They look forward to further meetings and intend
that contacts kt all levels between Australia and New Zealand should
increase.