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leadears to pass a message to The Palace about the idea of reviving the role of The Queen as Paramount Chief of Fiji (Tui Viti) in parallel with the structure of the Republic of Fiji. New Zealand was willing to assist in passing the Fiji arguments to the Palace, but would themselves take a neutral position on the idea. They were aware that the position of The Queen weighed heavily with the Fijians, and especially with Ratu Mara as first Fijian Privy Councillor.
4. Lord Glenarthur said that if the two Ratus wished to call at The Palace it would appear appropriate for them to see The Queen's Private Secretary. Mr Marshall did not demur.
5. Mr Marshall raised the spectre of French military assistant to Fiji. Lord Glenarthur confirmed that M. Flosse had assured him that the French would not supply lethal arms to Fiji. It remained to be seen whether French aid might cover items of use as military transport. Mr Marshall noted that such military assistance, even if not of lethal weapons, might make Fiji feel she no longer needed to turn to New Zealand in this field.
FRENCH ACTIVITIES IN THE PACIFIC
6.
Mr Marshall said that New Zealand welcomed French activities in the South Pacific provided these were conducted in a spirit of cooperation with regional governments. Some South Pacific states, notably Tonga and the Cook Islands had proved susceptible to French influence, but the Melanesian islands had shown little interest. New Zealand wished to be cooperative with France, but France continued to act provocatively in the Pacific. The New Zealand Government was determined to show restraint, eg over Mafart's return in France, as they saw no chance of improving relations with France until after the French presidential elections. He hoped that after the elections, the French would be less hardline over New Caledonia and would draw back from marginalising the FLNKS leader Tjibaou. To do otherwise could only play into the hands of Kanak extremists.
7.
Mr Marshall suggested that the French still appeared to believe in an Anglo-Saxon conspiracy to drive them from the Pacific, despite all New Zealand said to the contrary. But he hoped for an amiable conversation with
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/ M. Raimond