Further, the Government accepts an obligation to help extend these rights to people throughout the world.

My Government, in accepting its obligation to work toward these objectives, recognises that they depend on the achievement of a satisfactory rate of economic progress.

Despite reduced tension among the Great Powers, there has been a major clash of arms in the Middle East and continuing conflict in other regions. The limitations of military power in a nuclear age are clear.

New Zealand has stressed that in this situation smaller nations have an important role to play. New Zealand will continue to speak out for what it believes to be right and will act on the basis of its independent judgment.

My Government will continue to promote a more effective role for the United Nations and will remain active in the search for genuine measures of arms limitation, including a comprehensive nuclear weapons test ban and the control and eventual elimination of all weapons of mass destruction.

As far as New Zealand’s own forces are concerned, the Government does not propose to make any major structural changes in the Armed Services. It will, however, ensure an ability to contribute to United Nations peacekeeping operations, a continuing and expanding capability to provide aid to the civil community and greater co-operation with the defence services of Australia.

New Zealand has agreed to continue to co-operate with Singapore and Malaysia in the Five Power Defence Arrangements.

All forms of racial discrimination will be vigorously opposed. My Government will continue to support international endeavours to secure full human rights for all peoples.

Particular attention will be paid to the requirements and aspirations of the island peoples of the South Pacific and special emphasis will continue to be placed on the needs of the Cook, Niue, and Tokelau Islands whose inhabitants are New Zealand citizens. It is proposed that the people of Niue may become self-governing later this year. The enactment of a Niue Constitution Bill will depend on a referendum to be held in the island.

The Government favours closer regional association and co-operation among Pacific and Asian nations and will also promote New Zealand’s relations with individual countries in the region. In the conduct of its international relations, my Government appreciates the need for consultation and discussion with other countries.

The Government will vigorously build on the initiatives of the past year which have been aimed at diversifying export markets and products. The new embassies in Moscow, Vienna, and Peking will enable trade promotion in eastern and central Europe and the People’s Republic of China to be pursued on a continuing basis. New Zealand will take new initiatives aimed at strengthening trading ties with Australia and with the developing countries of the Pacific Basin. Access for New Zealand’s primary products will also be at the forefront of my Government’s approach to the new round of GATT negotiations.

Ministers are very concerned at the uncertainties now surrounding the supply of a number of raw materials, particularly oil and products derived from it. A decline in the rate of the economic growth of