Britain And The E.E.C.— A Dutch View

Press, Volume C, Issue 29635, 4 October 1961, Page 19

Britain And The E.E.C.— A Dutch View

’‘Should the British Commonwealth not be given the opportunity—indeed, encouraged —to associate itself with a greater European Market?”

This question is a in “Elsevier's VVeekbl journal, which discus entry into the Europeal

Headed, "'England’s Requests deserve Understanding.” the article begins that Britain brought her present difficulties on herself. “She disdained the opportunity to exercise, as a foundation member, an important influence on Europe's definitive structure. Later on she kept on doubting the permanence of EEC. and remained blind to its viability ...

"Now, when she finally seeks admission to the EEC

. . . Britain is at the disadvantage of appearing to act without conviction, of having no choice.” the article says. “Implacable” Party The article warns against t re-ting Britain “as the penitent on the road to Canossa. There is. in the EEC. a party which claims one can only expect concessions from England if the EEC shows herself implacable." The

sked in a recent article lad.” a weekly Dutch ses Britain’s possible i Economic Community. E.E.C. should consider Britain's demands seriously, and be prepared to make concessions.

“The British Commonwealth is still of importance, for the Western world as well as for Britain: not only Britain’s interest, but that of greater Europe and of the Western world, demands that the Commonwealth be preserved. We should, as far as possible. meet specific demands fqr England to maintain her Commonwealth ties."

Discussing opposition among other Commonwealth countries to Britain's entry to the E-E.Cf, the article asks: Is it in the Commonwealth’s interest if the very heart of the Commonwealth weakens By joining the E EC., the article suggests. Britain might regain its power and open ‘up a greater market oa the Continent for

the products of the Commonwealth. . Britain’s application raises the question of whether the boundaries of E.E.C., should not be extended beyond Europe and those parts of Africa which once formed part of the E.E.C., member countries. The association of the whole Of the Commonwealth with a “greater European! market” posed formidable: difficulties. but ‘‘Europe should not choke itself in its own structure." U.K. Agriculture Compared with the difficulties which the outer Commonwealth and the other Members of the Free Trade Association faced in the event of Britain’s entry into the EEC- the problems of British agriculture came as an anti-climax, the article claims. “We ask British agricultural interests: ‘how do you see the future outside E.E.C.? Do you think the English will continue to subsidise agriculture? Can you put forward any other plan for Britain’s regeneration?’ ” Concluding with an appeal for co-operation, the article says: “no country ’ can hope for gains without losses, for benefits to some industries without handicaps for others.”