Date Awkward But Mr Holyoake Will Go

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29803, 21 April 1962, Page 11

Date Awkward But Mr Holyoake Will Go

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, April 20.

The decisions that would be taken by the Commonwealth Prime Ministers could well he of even greater significance for the economic and political future of New Zealand than were those of the Imperial Economic Conference held in Ottawa 30 years ago, said the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) today.

Before the exact date had been chosen, said Mr Holyoake. all the Governments concerned had been carefully consulted

“Since our Parliament will be -n session at the time, the meeting in September will certainly present difficulties as far as I am concerned." he said. “It now appears however, that early September is the period most acceptable to the other Prime Ministers and in view of the vital importance to New Zealand of the issues involved I shall arrange business here in such a way as to make mv attendance possible " Mr Holyoake said that the conference would be held at a crucial stage in Britain's negotiations with the six Common Market countries “By September 10 we shall almost certainly have had an ooportunitv to consider arrangements which might a only to the t rade of the Commonwealth countries a*»er Britain has joined the Common Market “Other ou°stions will be discussed at this year's conference but in the circum stances they are unlikely to ma’ch the crucial problems of determining our future tmding relationship with Britain and the European Economic Community and of weighing the political implications of any changes that might be contemplated” said J<- Holyoake

When asked to comment on announcement that Mr Holmskp would attend the c-mferor-ce. lender of the Ornosition 'Mr Nash* said “TSie conference is a most jw»nnpmnt ore and w» think that the Prtme Minister should he rbo-e " Mensies’ View In Canberra last night, the >ustra ,: ’n Prtm° Minister CMr atenrtesi sa'd- “The e«mntial thing about the p-ime Ministers’ conference on the Common Market is t u M if should nof occur after minds have been m’de un" Menrfoc s«*d* “t* should p-»sent the Prtme M'nisters v-it>, ->n efreotive npnnrtunitv r* trOimp-mg th? ultimate dooision me have been m nc * m th*c —.stfo- a-4 xv’1 1 r—to he so m the mertod now and C—vtombor to Wo pro well en’aro nf n’fsv ryf Chf®. pi «*»«•*>« Mv Aije'vriPftn jnt<s»-AC*c wntjM TP “Hut at h nne that A of ***** xv<* have HP 4 ®. Au«-ra!ia’? • particular problems are now

better understood and the great and grave importance of these matters to Australia better appreciated by Britain and the Six." he said. “We shall continue to press our claims, and to make our views known. with the utmost energy.”