Mix's State.
Hat on VR fl of par 15.
zke W/24/2
AGR-N2512
22.
CALL ON LORD GLENARTHUR BY NEW ZEALAND FOREIGN MINISTER, THE HONOURABLE RUSSELL MARSHALL, MONDAY 22 FEBRUARY 4PM
Present
Lord Glenarthur Mr Reddaway, PS/Lord Glenarthur Mr Furness SPD Mr Plumb SPD
ния 243/2
The Hon R Marshall NZ High Commissioner Mr Plummer,
Private Secretary Mr Hugo Judd NZMFA Mr Roger Farrell
NZHC
Mr Stewart Prior Ń ZHC
M
pa
15
18
1. During opening courtesies, Mr Marshall emphasised how impressed he was by the friendly and constructive way in which British Ministers had received him during the course of the day.
FIJI
2. Mr Marshall said that he was glad that the political temperature in Fiji had been lowered. As a result, New Zealand had been able to resume normal relations and restore much of her aid programme. The sugar agreement under which New Zealand took Fiji sugar at a preferential rate would still lapse, however, the following month. New Zealand had been looking for an opportunity to end it, and as sugar prices were holding up at present this should not hurt Fiji too much. Lord Glenarthur asked about maritime surveillance around Fiji for fishing purposes. Mr Marshall (apparently rather unsighted) said that this would continue, but that defence surveillance would remain in abeyance. Ratu Mara had not expressed any dissatisfaction when they had spoken on the telephone recently.
3.
Mr Marshall continued that New Zealand regarded Ratu Mara as the best bet for Fiji. He had marginalised the extremists and was buying time so that a more moderate constitution could be accepted later on. Lord Glenarthur agreed that Fiji needed time, patience, sympathy and support to get out of their present difficulties. Ratu Mara and Ratu Penaia had requested a call on the Prime Minister, who was willing to see them if they came to London. Mr Marshall said that he was aware of this. In addition New Zealand had been asked by the Fiji
CONFIDENTIAL
/ leaders