Mr Ormond’s Words Will Shock U.K. Politicians’

Press, Volume C, Issue 29672, 16 November 1961, Page 3

Mr Ormond’s Words Will Shock U.K. Politicians’

(Special Correspondent JIZJ’A.) LONDON, November 14. * nt ’ honest words of the farmer, Mt* John Ormond, chairman of the New Zealand Meat Board, will shock politicians and diplomats m Britain. They abhor such language,” says the “Daily Express,” commenting editorially on an Auckland report of a speech by Mr urmona.

This quoted him as anytng- “Our trading relations with our blood brothers in Britain are about to be dictated by the French and Germans . . . Germans who are as arrogant as ever and French who could not light their way out of a paper bag when there was a German in sight.” The “Daily Express” comments: “It is unfashionable to speak of our kinship with the men and women of Australia. New Zealand and Canada.

“It might upset our European neighbours just at the moment when the Government is trying to do a deal with them, at the expense of the Commonwealth. “To men like Mr John Ormond it is inconceivable that Britain should put the European Common Market before the Empire. “They would no more barter away their relations with this country than they would betray one of their own family. “No Response” “But this fervent feeling for Britain calls forth no response from the smooth unctuous diplomats who are steering us towards Europe. And they muffle their intentions with meaningless patter lest people find out what is really happening. "In the eyes of these individuals Mr John Ormond must appear a tactless uncouth fellow. For he has

committed the ultimate indiscretion. He has told the truth.” says the “Daily Express.”

Mr Ormond’s comments are meat and drink to the "Daily Express” newspapers which are the only national group opposed to Britain entering the Common Market and lose no opportunity of stating vehement opposition.

“Big Sell-out” In the same issue as its remarks on Mr Ormond the “Daily Express” publishes a full page headed "The Case against the Big Sell-out” In this it accuses the Government of being shy about telling the British people the facts and declares it is hiding certain facts such as: “If we go into Europe the Commonwealth will be left outside—excluded by trade barriers, political, military, and economic agreement*.” Lloyds View However, the Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr Lloyd) said today that if Britain should stand aside from the Common Market it would weaken British influence. He told a conference of bankers organised by the United Kingdom Council of the European Movement, that if Britain joined the Common Market it would result in a further step towards unity in Europe. British membership would also be a real benefit to the Commonwealth, provided the

essential economic interests ot the Commonwealth could be protected. Commonwealth countries rtiould benefit from British membership because, although for most of them trade with the Common Market was small, it has been rising rapidly, he said.