Problems From U.K. Application To Six

Press, Volume C, Issue 29625, 22 September 1961, Page 7

Problems From U.K. Application To Six

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) LONDON, September 21. Professor Walter Hallstein, president of the European Commission, which decides the policy of Jhe European Common Market Community, spoke in Strasbourg about what he called the gravity and complexity of difficulties raised by Britain’s application to join the Market.

He was addressing a join session of the European Parliamentary Assembly of the Six and Consultative Assembly of 16-nation Council of Europe. The “Daily Telegraph’s” special correspondent at Strasbourg said: —Professor Hollstein appeared determined to insist that Britain paid the maximum political price for joining. It was, he said, now up to Britain to state in concrete form how she proposed to solve such problems as her future relations with the Commonwealth and British and Commonwealth agriculture. Professor Hallstein said that Britain was expected to give the same undertakings if she joined as were given by the Six when they joined. “Most members of Parliament here appear certain Britain will be admitted eventually,” the correspondent said, "but there is concern about the effect on the Commonwealth. Some seriously forecast the Commonwealth may be split. "One possibility being discussed in lobbies is that Canada and Australia might join with the United States to form a ‘new Commonwealth' without Britain.” The “Financial Times” correspondent at Strasbourg said Professor Hallstein implied

tthat the Commission could not pronounce on main Common Market issues until it knew in detail what Britain was asking. The most important points in the coming negotiations, said Professor Hollstein, were firstly, agricultural problems, both internal and external; secondly, (he question of a Common External tariff; thirdly, problems arising out of the traditional relations of Britain with the Commonwealth countries; fourthly, the question of the association of other African territories with the community; and fifthly, the question which broadening of the Community raised for its institutions.