U.K.-Six Talks Show Progress

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29797, 13 April 1962, Page 11

U.K.-Six Talks Show Progress

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, April 12. Britain and the Common Market had made useful progress on several important issues involved in Britain’s entry, the “Daily Telegraph” reported today.

This had emerged from discussions yesterday on the final draft of a document, to be approved by all seven delegations, setting out the problems and the views expressed so far. The draft would be the basis for the first full-scale bargaining at Ministerial .level early next month.

The report said the points of progress were:

Commonwealth: The Six recognised the importance of Britain maintaining as many links as possible with the Commonwealth, which could retain “essential characteristics.” Associate membership: At the beginning of the talks some of the Six were opposed to many Commonwealth countries becoming associates of the market. But they generally accepted that this was the best way for Britain to preserve her ties with Commonwealth nations and with many of her dependencies. Australia. Canada. New Zca-j land: The Six recognised that every effort must be made to safeguard agricultural products from these countries. They were less hopeful about protecting such items as industrial exports from Canada to Britain. India. Pakistan. Ceylon. Hong Kong: It was agreed that if Britain joined, assurances should be given that the manufactured goods exported by these four to Europe should be maintained at least at their present level. Economic union: This was the heading under which Britain's negotiators discussed the effects of the Common Market rules on cartels, movement -of capital, and harmonisation of legislation. i