✨ Governor-General's Speech
In Laos, the protracted failure to reach a political settlement under
which, within a framework of neutrality, the Laotian people may work
out their own destiny has greatly concerned my Government. In view
of the threat to the security of Thailand, and at the invitation of the
Thai Government, New Zealand has joined her SEATO Allies in the
dispatch there of armed forces.
The dispute over West New Guinea, between two countries towards
which New Zealand is friendly, has reached a critical stage. My
Ministers earnestly hope for a peaceful settlement which will take
account of the legitimate interests of the territory's inhabitants.
The United Nations sustained tragic loss in the death of its devoted
Secretary-General, Mr Hammarskjold. New Zealand has fulfilled all
its responsibilities to the Organisation and has subscribed one million
dollars to the United Nations bond issue.
My Government regrets the absence of positive progress in the
Geneva Disarmament Conference. As a first step it considers an effective
international agreement banning nuclear tests to be essential.
My Ministers favour a negotiated settlement of the Berlin situation
which would safeguard the freedom of the people of West Berlin and
secure Allied rights of access to the city.
HMNZS Taranaki, which arrived in New Zealand in October, is
now serving on the Far East Station. The Long-range Transport
Squadron of the Royal New Zealand Air Force provided the airlift
between New Zealand and Singapore when the First Battalion of the
New Zealand Regiment relieved the Second Battalion in Malaya. The
first intake of National Servicemen last month marked the initial step
in the build-up of the Territorial Force to its full strength of 10,000
men over the next three years.
In the field of the national economy, progress has been made in
restoring balance, despite the persistence of unfavourable prices for
exports which, for two years in succession, resulted in a reduction in
New Zealand's export income. As a consequence of policies of restraint
which have operated over a wide field, the pressure of excess demand
has abated. There has also been a significant reduction in the level of
imports and a welcome rise in the reserves of foreign exchange during
the first half of this year.
To cushion the impact of the fall in export income, two overseas loans
were raised in 1961 and another in May this year. While recognising
the longer term need to adjust overseas spending to the level of overseas
current year will be submitted to you as soon as possible.
The report of the Committee on Simplification of the Public Accounts
will receive the close attention of my Ministers as soon as it is available.
As a developing country, New Zealand has a continuing need for
capital, to which a planned programme of external borrowing can
make a valuable contribution. Membership of the World Bank has
provided an important additional source of long-term capital while the
readiness of the International Monetary Fund to make short-term
advances is of special value to a country subject to sharp fluctuations in
export income.
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VUW Te Waharoa —
NZ Gazette 1962, No 37
NZLII —
NZ Gazette 1962, No 37
✨ LLM interpretation of page content
🏛️
Governor-General's Speech at the Opening of Parliament
(continued from previous page)
🏛️ Governance & Central Administration7 June 1962
Parliament, Session opening, Governor-General, International relations, Laos, Thailand, SEATO, West New Guinea, United Nations, Disarmament, Berlin, HMNZS Taranaki, RNZAF, National Service, Economy, Exports, Imports, Foreign exchange reserves, Borrowing, Public accounts, World Bank, International Monetary Fund
- Mr Hammarskjold, Death of United Nations Secretary-General