THE PRESS TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 1979. Mr Talboys in Tokyo

Press, 24 April 1979, Page 20

THE PRESS TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 1979. Mr Talboys in Tokyo

Mr Brian Taiboys will reach for his hat as New Zealand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs more often than his hat as Minister of Overseas Trade while he is in Tokyo. Because the trading policies of Japan under the Prime Ministership of Mr Ohira are not likely to differ much from the policies that were pursued under Mr Fukuda, the preferred hat should be easier to wear.

The visit by Mr Taiboys will be the first contact at ministerial level since Mr Ohira was elected leader of the Liberal Democratic Party and thereby elevated to the Prime Ministership, replacing Mr Fukuda, last November The political talks in Tokyo are expected to last until tomorrow. Mr Taiboys will then go to Osaka before he sets off on the rest of his tour, which will take him to South Korea and China

There should be plenty to talk about in Tokyo. The political subject which most concerns countries in Asia is Indo-China. New Zealand has been arguing for months that it is important, in spite of Vietnam’s actions, that substantial aid to Vietnam should be given. Like a number of other countries, Japan has reduced its aid. The New Zealand fear is that Vietnam, in economic desperation, could be forced into deeper dependence on the Soviet Union Japan and other countries tried to demonstrate their disapproval of the Vietnamese invasion of Kampuchea by suspending aid

Apart from this difference in policy, Japan and New Zealand will want to exchange their assessments on what is likely to happen in the whole area. The outcome of the election in Thailand and what it means will certainly be discussed. As always in dealing with Japan, economic considerations will be relevant. Mr Taiboys will want to know Japan’s economic intentions in South-East Asia and the Pacific and how these will affect New Zealand.

By far the most ambitious plan recently mooted by the Japanese has been the idea of forming a Pacific community. Such a far-reaching idea.

which has not passed unnoticed by both the Americans and the Australians, needs to be spelt out in greater detail. Any initiative which seems to draw Japan further into the affairs of Asia and the Pacific, and which might lead to a more outward-looking trading policy in Japan, is likely to receive full encouragement from New Zealand. At the moment Japan appears to be thinking more about the economic summit meeting to be held in Tokyo in June and July among the seven leaders of the biggest Western economies than about a Pacific community. Nevertheless, the subject is likely to get more attention later in the year. Matters of trade will receive some attention Mr Taiboys is likely to press for access to the Japanese market for dairy products and beef. Although he has given no indication that he will do so, he should press the Japanese to allow publication of the details of the agreement reached with Japan last year and disclose the basis on which Japanese fishermen were allowed to return to New Zealand waters.

New Zealand’s interests are badly served by the continued secrecy of that agreement — secrecy which is at the request of the Japanese. Enough is known of that agreement for the point to be made with confidence that Japan made few concessions. Just how few they were should be made clear before the European Economic Community decides finally on access for this country’s butter after 19S0.

Japan has apparently made few concessions and has then demanded that New Zealand keep these quiet so that Japan does not harm its own relations elsewhere. Had New Zealand obtained substantial concessions from Japan it might have been argued that it were best that the E.E.C. should be kept in the dark in the meantime. Conversely, the E.E.C. is not likely to be sympathetic to New Zealand if this country is known to be making secret deals in Asia while seeking the maximum benefits in Europe. From New Zealand’s point of view it is surely best that the deal is open for others to assess.