Concessions For U.K. Entry Urged

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29893, 6 August 1962, Page 9

Concessions For U.K. Entry Urged

(A’.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

LONDON, August 5.

Several London Sunday newspapers in editorials today supported the British entry into the Common Market, even if it meant agreeing to less favourable terms.

The “Sunday Times” said the idea of failure in the negotiations was “nearly unthinkable ” “It would be nothing less than a major disaster, unrelieved by the prospect of any serious or valid alternative solution,” t said. “Talk of a choice between the Commonwealth and the Common Market is realistic only if, as an alternative to the latter, there were the prospect of a really viable Commonwealth economic and political union. ineluding free trade and a common political purpose In fact, there Is no such prospect.” said the “Sunday Times." The “Observer” said: ’’l', no longer looks likely that the community will have developed into a tightly-knit political unit by the time Britain joins. The creation of

federal institution will have to wait the evolution of a shared view of policy “Given these changes, there is now a strong case for joining the community, even if the conditions of entry appear to be less favourable than had been expected.” The “News of the World” said: “There is no alternative left to us but to join on the best possible terms “Already the countries of the Commonwealth have been forced to seek new customers outside Britain. “Australia sends more wheat to China than to us. and she casts her eyes more and more toward Asia. “ New Zealand, we must fate it. big m heart and deserving our affection, has only half the population of the Manchester conurbation . . .’’ it said.