Mr Nash Concerned Over E.E.C. Moves

Press, Volume C, Issue 29523, 26 May 1961, Page 12

Mr Nash Concerned Over E.E.C. Moves

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, May 25. “The New Zealand Labour Party views with concern the suggestion that the United Kingdom .Government is likely to take early steps to join the European Common Market," said the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Nash) tonight. “While the New Zealand Labour Government was in office it took every opportunity of making its position absolutely clear. It urged the United Kingdom Government to consider the serious, indeed the disastrous, consequences to the future of the Commonwealth if the preference system were to be abandoned or whittled down,” said Mr Nash. ‘The Labour Government’s Minister of Finance (Mr Nordmeyer) at the Commonwealth Economic Conference in London last year emphasised the likely damaging effects of Britain’s joining the Common Market not only on New Zealand’s economy but on the Commonwealth as a whole. I discussed personallv with all the ministers of trade ‘in the countries concerned the problems that would face New Zealand if our traditional trade pattern should be disturbed. I was satisfied that our position was appreciated and that nothing would be done inimical to New Zealand’s interests before the New Zealand Gov-

ernment was consulted,” said Mr Nash.

“The position is so alarming from New Zealand's point of view that I strongly urge that an emergency meeting of the Commonwealth conference should be called before a decision is taken by the United Kingdom Government which may seriously jeopardise the whole future of the Commonwealth,” said Mr Nash.