MACMILLAN ON E.E.C.

Press, Volume C, Issue 29555, 3 July 1961, Page 11

MACMILLAN ON E.E.C.

Assurance To Commonwealth (N.Z. Press Association— Copyright) BOWOOD (Wiltshire), July 1. Britain, in any discussions with the six-nation European Common Market, mast “make sure our ideas are in line with those of the Commonwealth,” the British Prime Minister (Mr Macmillan) said today. Mr Macmillan told a Conservative audience at Bowood: “On the political side I have no doubt that the Commonwealth would actually be strengthened if we could succeed in reaching a fair agreement with Europe.

"But our Commonwealth would be greatly shaken if we were to put their interest second” he said. “We do not propose any such thing.

"... I asked a number of my colleagues to visit individual Commonwealth countries. When they return we shall have a better ide; or what are Commonwealth interests whdoh must be protected,” he said. Three Cabinet ministers— Mr Sandys. Mr Thomeycroft, and Mr Hare—ere at present on Commonwealth tours to discuss the Common Market. A fourth, Mr Heath. Lord Privy Seal and Deputy Foreign Secretary, will shortly go to Cyprus.

Mr Macmillan said: "It is not so much our preferences in Commonwealth markets, valuable though these are, .about which we are anxious. On the contrary, whet concerns us is the protection of Commonwealth imports into this country. "Of course, there are big opportunities for the Commonwealth to export to Europe, but even so, if Commonwealth exports to this country were to be restricted or seriously reduced, this

would be a sad blow for many Commonwealth countries”

The Prime Minister said some people "advise us that all we have to do is just sign the Treaty of Rome and join the Common Market. What a simple but what ■ naive plan.

"... I do not believe that we can just sign the treaty and have done with it. But equally 1 am not one of those who thlok we cannot achieve a tolerable solution.

‘“Hie whole trend of the shrinking modern world is towards greater unity. It is the challenge of our time. We do not fear it," he Mid. European unity, he said, was "perhaps the most important and also the most difficult problem of today. “Europe is already divided: tragically split asunder from the Baltic to the Balkans. . . .

‘‘Throughout the Southern Hemisphere and in the countries of Asia, dramatic new forces are at work to transform the pattern of political power,” he sold. "Our efforts them for greeter unity in Europe must be seen against the background of world events."