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PRIME MINISTER~ Press Statement No. 474
24 March 1975
JOINT STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTERS OF
AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND
The Prime Ministers reaffirmed that the'economic
relationship between New Zealand and Australia was of
special significance to the two countries.
It was recognised that there was a need to
look beyond the precise balancing of advantages in
trade negotiations to ensure that the long term benefits
of wide economic co-operation were not obscured.
Accordingl. y it was agreed that the two
Governments would ur. dertakea comprehensive study of
ways to achieve more effectively the fundamental objective
of economic co-operation and of making the best possible
use of the resources of the two countries.
The Prime Ministers noted that considerable progress
had been made in reaching solutions to problems in the
sale of clothes driers and carpets to Australia.
following M4r Crean' s recent visit to New Zealand.
Although final details had yet to be worked out a position
had been arrived at which could enable free trade in
clothes' driers between Australia and New Zealand.
On carpets an approach was being evolved under
which New Zealand carpets could have access to Australia
at a volume which would maintain traditional trade levels.
Industries of the two countries were now being consulted,
and final decisions in these areas are expected to be
announced shortly by the appropriate Ministers.
The two Prime Ministers welcomed the increase
in Ministerial contacts that had taken place between
Australia and New Zealand in the past year.
They agreed that the volume of exchanges, particularly.
in the * conomia area* was now such that thexre would be merit
in establishing arrangements vhiai~ would enable relevant.
Ministers to take an overall view of the relationship OptWeen
the two countries.
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The Prime Ministers agreed that Ministers in
the economic area, particularly those Ministers concerned
with finance, overseas trade and manufacturing industry,
should meet collectively at intervals of from 12-18 months,
alternatively in Wellington and Canberra.
CANBERRA. A. C. T.