Marshall Has Ministerial Talks

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29841, 6 June 1962, Page 16

Marshall Has Ministerial Talks

(Special Correspondent NZ.P.A.)

LONDON, June 4. “I am reasonably satisfied. Negotiations are going as well as can be expected at this stage,” said the New Zealand Deputy-Prime Minister (Mr Marshall) today.

He was commenting on his talks this morning with the Lord Privy Seal (Mr Heath), the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations (Mr Sandys), the Minister of Agriculture (Mr Soames) and later, after luncheon, with the Prime Minister tiMr Macmillan). Mr Marshall also said he felt "far too much” had been

made of the statement he and Mr Menzies made last week on manufactured goods from Australia. New Zealand and Canada.

He emphasised that the main point was that if the agreement on manufactured goods were to be a precedent for the preferences, it would be unacceptable if it were followed for "our main products.” He added: ‘‘We hope to do much better.” Mr Marshall said the statement on manufactured goods and reactions to it in British newspapers had not been re. ferred to when he met the British ministers.

"I reported to them on discussions I had had and Mr Heath reported to me on the negotiations so far.

“We then dealt with the presentation of the case affecting commodities in which New Zealand is interested and agreed on a course which should be followed in the further negotiations which will be taking place with deputies of the Six in Brussels this week. "I’m satisfied that the case which the British are putting up does safeguard New Zealand’s vital interest in commodities in which we are primarily concerned.” he said. “I'm also confident that the British negotiators will present the case with vigour and determination.”

Referring to his talk with Mr Macmillan, Mr Marshall said: -After lunch we had a discussion on the general position of the Common Market negotiations and also on Mr Macmillan's talks during the week-end with President de Gaulle.”

Mr Marshall obviously discounts the comment, which seems at the moment to be growing, that Britain will have to choose between the Commonwealth and the Common Market.

He repeated tonight on Independent Television that New Zealand was not opposing Britain’s entry, that New Zealand was not opposing Britain’s reasons for wanting to enter and New Zealand would have no objections—provided her vital interests are aadsguudMd.