N.Z. 'Puts Trust' In Britain

Press, Volume C, Issue 29633, 2 October 1961, Page 11

N.Z. ' Puts Trust ' In Britain

(N.Z. Press Assn.—CopyripM) LONDON, September 30. The New Zealand Minister of Finance (Mr H. R. Lake) had a final meeting today with the Commonwealth Relations Secretary (Mr Duncan Sandys) about the Common Market negotiations and told him: “We have put our trust in you.” Mr Sandys was told New Zealand believed that Britain would stand by its word to protect the Commonwealth in the negotiations, said Mr Lake later. Britain was expected to stand by its pledge that should the matter come to an issue between the Commonwealth and Europe, Britain would stand by the Commonwealth.

Mr Lake emphasised again New Zealand’s exceptional dependence on the United Kingdom market, and the need for special arrangements to protect its interests. But he denied that New Zealand was trying to “pressure" Britain. Mr Lake also had talks with the New Zealand team in London negotiating with Britain on the Common Market. Tomorrow afternoon he will fly to Washington to discuss details of a new loan. Bargaining Power

Britain's bargaining power with the Common Market countries is believed to have been strengthened impressively by the conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association which ended in London today, a Press Association diplomatic co'-’-penondent reported. While there were no resolutions or decisions, the feeling was that the 28 hours of talking over the last five days had produced evidence of a “Commonwealth outlook” which some people had besom to doubt existed. The corresnondent said it was paradoxical that it was Britain’s decision to negotiate for entry to the Common Market that produced demonstrations of the Commonwealth strength. The vigour and concern ”-ith which the Common Market issue was debated was regaad“d as having given the Bri’ish Government an addiMonal lever which should prove to the Commonwealth’s advantage in the coming months of negotiations. Th? cowesnondent said tha‘ in snite of some criticism and ’’lain speaking, there was “vid'mce that the Commonweal‘h delegates were imnressed by Britain's lead? 1- ? and their attitude to the problem. Thev were undoub’edlv im-n-es'ed with the nledee bv Mr Sendys that if it came to a choice between th? Commonwealth and Euron? B’-itain won’d choose the Commonwealth. * U.S. Snnnnrt The leader of the team of Un'ted Spates observers a‘tendir”’ the (“'"♦“reroe. Senator V ri lliam Fulbright. *odav stronglv «”->n->-ted B’-t'ish °ntry into the Common Market He «aid onlv Britain could lead Europe into a new era Senator Fulbright said he did not believe Britain’s ded',on to negotiate with the “Six” bad been in-anlred bv •he United States. He thought it was inspired "by th° inst’nct for survival.” The Sena’or onened a de'erce and fo-ojen affairs debate in the final dav of the wpok->ong conference, attended hv about tan Parliamer*’rian* from 64 Common-wo-t'h countries Th? Sena'or., chairman of the S-nate’s Foreign R ‘inns Committee, said: t‘We ■>sk your heln. not to prepare far nuclear war. hut to preve?t ntmiear w»r.” The United. States and its allies bore a heavy military responsibility in restraining Communist imperialism, he said. The over-all political and

economic strength of the free world, and not merely its military power, was the essential shield of security against Communist aggression.

No single development at present offered greater promise of realisation of this over-riding objective than the movement of Western Europe towards economic unification and political confederation, he said. “The movement of Britain towards Europe, if consummated. will constitute a mighty step toward a broader concept of free nations bound together in unity and strength and In common dedication to the cau’e of freedom" “The combination clearly would become an economic, social and political force comparable to both the United States and the Soviet Union.”

He said Britain’s participation in the Common Market would have long-term benefits for the entire free world and immediate benefits within the European com munity itself.

"Without Britain there can be little doubt that West Germany. with its great industrial machine and skilled and energetic population, will play the pre-eminent, if no’

European community. “Only Britain, I suggest, has the long experience, the ancient institutions, and the over-all political maturity for leading Europe into a new era.” European Necessity Senator Fulbright said that when the specific difficulties posed by the prospect of European union—for th’ Commonwealth, for the United States and fpr othecountries were weighed against the imperatives of free world security, th? necessity for a strong and unified Europe was seen to be overwhelming. “In a world beset by forces of upheaval and the spectre of nuclear war, Europe now offers a vision of hope and progress.” he said. “The prospects are bright that such dangerous condi tions as French-German rivalry may finally be dissolved. that Britain may actually cast aside her historic role of Europe's detached monitor and invite Europe and the Common-

wealth to shape a common destiny, that stability, prosperity and steady growth may have placed Europe and the Commonwealth cm the thresh • old of an enterprise which can produce the greatest achievements and greatest glory." He said Britain's entry into the European Economic Community would not only contribute to the economi: growth and welfare of Britain and Europe, but it would mark a significant step . toward the evolution of j genuine community of ths North Atlantic which would include the United States.

In a later speech. Dr. Colvin R. de Silva, of Ceylon, said the fundamental reason why Britain was being drawn into the so-called European Economic Community was on the one hand to help to organise Europe as a single political unit counter-posed to the Soviet bloc and on the other hand to draw the Common wealth into that organisation. Influence in World Winding up the conference, Mr Sandys said the potential influence of the Commonwealth in world affairs had hardly been explored, certainly not exploited. It was only in these last years when the African States had joined in that for th a first time the Commonwealth had begun to look really representative of all the facets of the world scene. "We were getting to ths point where, more than any group of nations, we could speak for humanity. “The question is, are we going to allow this opportunity to slip by? If you miss a time in history, very often you cannot catch up again. “I believe the great moment for the Commonwealth is just coming in these next years. “Are you going to rise to the level of that historic occasion and give a lead tn the world on the path of peace?

“I believe the Commonwealth can do it. 1 believe the Commonwealth will do it and I believe no one else can,” Mr Sandys said.