CANNED FRUIT DISPUTE

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29745, 12 February 1962, Page 11

CANNED FRUIT DISPUTE

LONDON, February 11. A new dispute between Australia and Britain over the Common Market has blown up because Australia was not informed about negotiations concerning canned fruit, according to the “Sunday Telegraph."

As a result, an angry Australia had requested the right of direct participation in some of the talks about Britain's entry into the Market. The Australian request was to be considered on February 22. The trouble had arisen last month when Britain included Australian canned fruits among a list of possible “zero

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

tariff goods” submitted to the Market.

By what was described as "a very unfortunate slip-up,” Australia had not been informed in advance of the step, to which it took the strongest exception. Australia felt it would be quite unable to face equal competition in this field from the Italian and American canned fruit industries, said the “Sunday Telegraph.” It thought therefore that a zero tariff would not compensate for the loss of imperial preference on the British market

Some outspoken exchanges were believed to have taken place between Australia and Britain, the newspaper said. Ten days ago Australia had decided to force the whole

issue by requesting direct participation at all talks where Australia’s “vital trade interests” were being discussed. As a result, Britain was in a difficult position. After the canned fruits mishap it could scarcely do anything but support the Australian request. But the Common Market countries were scarcely likely to look on it with much favour.

They were understood to h-ve expressed fears that the Australian move would open the door to a flood of participation requests even from non - Commonwealth countries such as the United States. This could result in further delays in Britain’s progress through the negotia. tions.