Eye, Ear & Voice

Mr Brown outlined the development of New Zealand's foreign policy machinery from the establishment of the Foreign Affairs Office in 1945. New Zealand's 'Declaration of Independence' could well be regarded, he said, as a telegram sent in 1942 which recognised clearly the diminishing role of the United Kingdom in New Zealand's foreign policy. Mr Brown quoted a portion of the telegram which concluded as follows: We feel that we must have an eye, an ear and a voice wherever decisions affecting New Zealand are made."

Mr Brown said that about 90% of New Zealand's exports go to six destinations. Most of our trade was therefore confined to a large Western trading block. "A number of other altitudes of mind and assumptions of interests" are attendant upon trade relations," he said.

"We are economically vulnerable, and will be more so over the next ten years than we've been since the Thirties. We are politically independent but we are not non-aligned. I would distinguish between 'non-alignment' and 'independence' although these terms are often regarded as contradictory." Mr Brown suggested that New Zealand Governments "Can exercise more or less independence according to the disposition of the Government concerned or its interest in a particular problem."

In reply to a question, Mr Brown said he thought it was logical in terms of Seato commitments that members of the Organisation should involve themselves in the Vietnam War. The case of Cambodia threw up some rather interesting pointers to the attitude of Seato powers to involvement in similar wars to Vietnam. This attitude, said Mr Brown, was not a very enthusiastic one. He said that the countries involved in the Vietnam War had been "politically over-committed" and would not wish to pursue a similar policy in the future.

Mr Brown said that, insofar as anyone 'calls the tune' in Seato, the Americans have a clear leadership. However, the political costs of the Vietnam War had to be met by all Seato members. He said that the War had divided society in Australia and in New Zealand to an extent that he had not seen before.

Political Science lecturer Roderic Alley asked Mr Brown about the impact of public opinion upon foreign policy. Mr Brown said there was certainly a role for public opinion in the shaping of foreign policy-even if that role was only one of restraint. He said public opinion was already a powerful factor in foreign policy although it might from time to time seem that this was not the case.

Prof. Board

A student member of the Professorial Board is to be a member of the Professorial Board Standing Committee.

This was decided by the Joint Committee of the Council, Professorial Board and Students' Association on 6 July. The Standing Committee meets "when there is urgent business not requiring the attendance of all members of the Board."