free 1
ursue their own policies and interests-as they are doing, for example, through separate membership of the South Pacific Forum and other regional bodies.
I need hardly assure you, Mr Premier, that the New Zealand Government welcomes the role which your country is now playing, and looks forward to continued co-operation with your Govern- ment in the wide range of matters which are our common concern. At the same time, I would like especially to draw your attention to the central feature of the constitutional relationship between our two countries.
By their own express wish, the people of the Cook Islands remain New Zealand citizens. Like other New Zealand citizens, they owe allegiance to Her Majesty the Queen in right of New Zealand, and they acknowledge the Queen in Her New Zealand capacity as their Head of State. In this way the Cook Islands people retain the right to regard New Zealand as their own country, even while they enjoy self-government within the Cook Islands.
The very survival of a state may depend upon the belief of its citizens in common idcals and their sense of loyalty towards each other. It is therefore unusual for a state to extend its citizenship to people living in areas beyond the reach of its own laws. That New Zealand has taken this step in relation to the Cook Islands is the strongest proof of its regard for, and confidence in, the people of your country.
For the reasons I have already indicated, the bond of citizenship docs entail a degree of New Zealand involvement in Cook Islands affairs. This is reflected in the scale of New Zealand's response to your country's material needs; but it also creates an expectation that the Cook Islands will uphold, in their laws and policies a standard of values generally acceptable to New Zealanders.
It seems to my Government that this is the heart of the matter The special relationship between the Cook Islands and New Zealand is on both sides a voluntary arrangement which depends upon shared interests and shared sympathics. In particular, it calls for understanding on New Zealand's part of the Cook Islands' natural desire to lead a life of their own, and for cqual understanding on the Cook Islands' part of New Zealand's determination to safeguard the values on which its citizenship is based.
I shall be grateful for your reply confirming that the Cook Islands Government shares the views expressed in this letter, and wishes to maintain the special relationship of free association between the Cook Islands and New Zealand. I would, moreover, suggest that my letter and your reply be tabled by our respective Govern- ments in the Cook Islands Legislative Assembly and in the New Zealand Parliament, as an indication to all who are interested of the true nature of the ties between our two countries.
Yours sincerely,
NORMAN KIRK.
3