Marshall Restates Faith In Sandys9 Assurances

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29828, 22 May 1962, Page 13

Marshall Restates Faith In Sandys 9 Assurances

(N.Z.P.A -Reuter—Copyright)

LONDON, May 21. New Zealand’s Minister for Trade (Mr Marshall), arrived in London last night for high-level talks on Britain’s proposed entry into the European Common Market. His visit is a bid to preserve his country’s £l2O million agricultural exports to Britain.

Mr Marshall, who is also New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister, is expected to visit Brussels and other European capitals after London. Asked if he believed Britain would honour her assurances to safeguard Commonwealth interests, given last July by the Commonwealth Relations Secretary (Mr Sandys), Mr Marshall said cheerfully: “Of course." He said the reason for his visit was to “safeguard New Zealand's interests in the Common Market negotiations.”

Mr Marsha'l will have discussions with British ministers, concentrating on the Common Market but also

covering trade and economic matters generally. Mr Marshall will hold a press conference today. In Dortmund last night the West German Foreign Minister (Dr. Schroeder) said West Germany would do everything in her power to bring about Britain’s entry.

He told a Christian-Demo-crat Party meeting that to speed up the political unity of Europe the heads of Governments of the Six should meet regularly for consultation.

In Rome. Belgium and Italy ended two days of talks on problems of European unity and the Common Market negotiations. From Rome, the “Daily Telegraph" reported that the heads of Government of the Six Common Market countries would hold a European summit conference in Rome next month.

The newspaper said: “The political integration of Europe and Britain’s entry into the market will be the two principal subjects discussed in an effort to save the Treaty of Rome from the deadlock in which it has

been since the Brussels conference. "

An Italian Government spokesman quoted a« saying the summit was an Italian initiative. Talks among the Six had already begun on a date and an agenda.

The United States Undersecretary of State, Mr George Ball, arrived by air last night for top-level talks on France’s position over Britain’s candidature for the Common Market. United States officials say that during his three-day visit Mr Ball will emphasise that his country is favourable to Britain joining the community. Mr Ball arrived from Copenhagen after attending the international economic conference in Stockholm. He will also visit Rome and Bonn.