Dangers Seen In E.E.C.

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29901, 15 August 1962, Page 12

Dangers Seen In E.E.C.

(N.Z. Press Association)

WELLINGTON, August 14. “How will the Queen feel if she is asked to sign the bill which joins Britain to the Common Market and so starts the end of her sovereignty?” asks the Social Credit Political League in a statement issued today. “We seem to be losing sight of the fact that the Rome Treaty is the legal basis of the E.E.C., and that whatever concessions may, or may not, be granted regarding our

trading arrangements. the political significance of that treaty is of paramount importance. “If Britain joins, she must accept that treaty and become part of a federal political set-up of European states How does this place the Commonwealth members who swear their allegiance to the Queen of England? What would the position be if the nine members of the E.E.C commission decide on a policy which is contrary to our thinking, or contrary to the political thinking of Britain?" The question involved more than the price of a pound of butter, or a market for a side of lamb It involved decisions which would have farreaching effects on the very Parliamentary process which England had spent 1000 years in developing and which still stood, in the league’s opinion, as the best bulwark and example in the world against the Communist way of life. “Everyone in New Zealand must get behind our elected head of Government, the Prime Minister, in urging him to fight this issue, in the strongest terms, when he and other Commonwealth Prime Ministers meet the British Government next month.” said the statement. “If he. with Mr Menzies and Mr Diefenbaker, takes a firm stand on toe question of the break-up of the British Commonwealth. we are sure that toe people of Britain would not allow their Government to force toe bill through over their heads.

“Certainly trade arrangements within toe Commonwealth and outside would

have to be negotiated, but surely we have the skill and purpose to solve these problems without selling our heritage and tradition to a collection of European States?"