Government Denies ‘Placidity On E.E.C.’

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29791, 6 April 1962, Page 12

Government Denies ‘Placidity On E.E.C.’

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, April 5.

There was no question of New Zealand’s position in the Common Market negotiations being allowed to go by default, the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) said today when hq was asked to comment on a Press Association report from London.

The report said that it was doubtful if New Zealand was saying as much publicly as she could or should at the moment. It suggested that by being apparently placid and untroubled, New Zealand was letting her case go more or less by default. “The people of New Zealand need have no apprehensions that our approach to this vital problem is placid or complacent, or that our case is not being presented fully and clearly to the United Kingdom and the other Governments concerned," said Mr Holyoake. “Although New Zealand has considerable misgivings about the position that could result should Britain decide to join the Common Market, we do place reliance upon the assurances of the British Government —given to us by Mr Duncan Sandys when he met members of the Govern-

ment here in Wellington last year—that in their negotiations the British will seek to secure special arrangements to protect the vital interests of New Zealand. “Mr Sandys also stated that Britain would not feel able to join the European Economic Community unless such arrangements were secured," Mr Holyoake said. “We believe these assurances mean something.

“We are not adopting a hostile attitude to wider European unity. We have always recognised the great political advantages that could flow from a broadening of the European community which included Britain. "For this reason we were quite willing that the British should enter into the negotiations with the Six on the basis of the assurance which had been given to New Zealand.

“At the same time the Government is taking action to bring to the notice of the European governments concerned, the position and problems of New Zealand, and the way in which our trade could be affected if the British were to join the Common Market.

"It is not unusual while negotiations are proceeding, for a certain reticence to be observed on the proposals which are being discussed.

“This is not to suggest, ss perhaps the Press Association report does, that New Zealand is complacent or that there has been any failure on our part to state forcibly and clearly the strong and considered views of the Government.

“If New Zealand's approach is different from that of certain other countries, it is for no other reason than that our problems are different.

“Moreover, we have different arrangements and assurances from Britain."