Problem Of Preferences

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29854, 21 June 1962, Page 12

Problem Of Preferences

WELLINGTON, June 20. "It would be unwise, at the least, to expect the British Government to press for a special provision for any one part of the Commonwealth,” said Mr A. H. Nordmeyer (Opposition, Island Bay) when he spoke in the Address -in - Reply debate after the statement on Common Market negotiations by the Deputy Prime Minister (Mr Marshall).

“That would place her in an invidious position and cause considerable disquiet and unrest among the nations of the Commonwealth.” he said.

On Britain’s joining the European Economic Community, Mr Nordmeyer said:

“It is a decision which, in the final analysis, will not be made in Wellington, or Canberra, or Ottawa or any other part of the Commonwealth. It will be made by the Government of the United Kingdom.

“They have promised to safeguard our interests and in that we have placed all our confidence. I hope that it has not been misplaced.

(Parliamentary Reporter)

"Mr Marshall has been reluctant about some matters subject to discussion and negotiation, and which he could not give as fully as we, or no doubt as fully as he, would have liked.” said Mr Nordmeyer. “But it appeals from what he has said that the outlook for mutton and lamb was not as dismal as once we thought. “It appears that there is little prospect of an agreement to take care of our most vulnerable products—that is. dairy products, butter and cheese.” •

Saying that he hoped arrangements would be made for the protection of New Zealand trade after 1970 Mr Nordmeyer said: “Everything depends on the attitude of the British Government towards what it regards as the Commonwealth’s vital interest.”

Mr Duncan Sandys undertook that Britain would not join the European Economic Community unless “we can safeguard the Commonwealth’s vital interests.” ‘There will have to be a clear understanding of what

is a vital interest,” said Mr Nordmeyer, the United Kingdom and New Zealand might interpret this differently. The problem of the harmonisation of prices was one the Six faced themselves, and one that was going to be more important as the question of Britain’s joining came nearer.

“It will be more complicated when the considerable, and perhaps conflicting, interests of the Commonwealth countries are concerned.”