New Zealand to Cut Ties to British Crown
Prime Minister Jim Bolger has called for New Zealand to cut its ties with the British monarchy by the year 2000, saying that would be an appropriate symbolic moment.
“The move can be conducted without any rancor of any sort. The call now for true independence by electing our own head of state should surprise no one,” he said Wednesday night.
Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating last year set a similar target date for Australia to become a republic.
Australia and New Zealand are independent countries, but like Canada and some Caribbean states still recognize the British monarch as head of state.
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