N.Z. HELP TO AFRICANS

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30976, 4 February 1966, Page 14

N.Z. HELP TO AFRICANS

(New Zealand Pres* Association) WELLINGTON, Feb. 3. The Government is planning to spend up to £lOO,OOO a year in aid to help developing Commonwealth countries in the African continent.

The money wil on technical aid. Announcing this tonight, the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) said the programme had been slow in “getting off the ground,” but the tempo was now increasing. He said the full appropriation of £lOO,000 would be needed for the year. Mr Holyoake recalled that during last year’s Commonwealth Parliamentary Association conference in Wellington, he held discussions with some African delegates over the possible increase of New Zealand technical aid to their countries. New Zealand’s geographical position demanded that her main effort should be directed to Asia and the Pacific, the Prime Minister said .

“However, the Government is prepared to contemplate an expenditure up to £lOO,OOO a year in helping the Commonwealth countries of Africa.”

Outlining the technical aid New Zealand proposed to give the Commonwealth countries, Mr Holyoake said agreement had been reached on the assignment of an expert in technical education to the western region of Nigeria. But the present unrest in Nigeria had postponed the departure of the expert, although the delay was expected to be temporary. The Prime Minister said it was possible New Zealand might send one or two advisers in dentistry to Ghana — but acceptance by Ghana was still awaited. He said it was also hoped to assist Zambia in recruiting non-graduate teachers, and to assist Kenya in recruiting some valuers. “It might prove possible to finance both these projects to a limited extent under the special Commonwealth aid to Africa plan,” he said. Mr Holyoake said that the greater proportion of New Zealand’s efforts under S.C.A.A.P. consisted of training Africans in New Zealand. In the year 1965-66 £84,800 had been allocated for this purpose. The Prime Minister said the total was based on offers of 30 training places in New

be spent primarily

Zealand. It appeared they would not all be taken up. There would only be about 20 students coming from the African Commonwealth countries of Gambia, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda. Malawi and Zambia. Mr Holyoake said the tentative allocation for student training in the year 1966-67 was £BB,OOO.